Masturbatory fantasies

Being HeardThis brings me to another frustration I’ve had with the online fannish community. Visual Arts, whether popular media or illustrations. I love fairies, mermaids, amazons, all the visions imaginable of strong and beautiful women. I can’t tell you how many times I have wished I could draw and paint just so I could see some variation in the fannish art I see. Why can’t the fae queen have skin the color of warmed maple syrup and dark curls? There a reason all the native images are either some hottie male savage or the demure looking Indian princess?

What the deal with this? Is there some need in art and literature to tame the wild savage or claim the spirited princess? Not all Indian women look like Disney’s Pocahontas. It’s time for the illustrators to look back upon and analyze the inspirations for their images. It’s time for the artists in the famish community to move forward from the old habits and stereotypes and create something new, something truly meaningful. Time for visual and written artists alike to consider the old habits and ingrained racisms. Who do these masturbatory fantasies truly serve, and more importantly who do they harm? I’ve presented these challenges to artist of all types when the opportunity presenting itself. I am hopeful that some of those conversations will bear results.Comment:  These comments apply to our recent discussion about Dawnstar as well as to any discussion about Disney's Pocahontas.