Race, Religion, and Culture in FMP

Pyrite · Post by **Pyrite** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:55 am

Been meaning to do this for a while, but inertia got in the way.

Anyway, I find the characterisation in the series quite colour-blind when it comes to depicting characters from a multitude of origins, and I think Gatou and the illustrator (don't know whether to use Douji, Shiki or ShikiDouji) did a remarkable job in handling religious backgrounds.

As evidenced from the novels:

Lt. Grouseaux, a devout Muslim, doesn't drink alcohol. (Check.) He is also a positive role model as far as is evidenced from the novel - tolerant of the beliefs of others (McAllen), fair, even to people who don't like him and vice versa (Kurz), understands situations very well, and kicks the ass of anything not equipped with a fully-functioning Lambda Driver (and then some). And, of course, he's one of the good guys. I was a little disappointed, then, when TSR decided to remove all reference of his religion from the adaptation, because his actions in the bar didn't make sense then.

Also, Sousuke's thoughts on Christmas and Ramadan in DVMC seem on target. And with respect to Christianity, the ODBD novel also pulled off Tessa's benediction quite nicely. Sounds about right.

(Actually, I think it seemed a little superfluous and not particularly relevant to the story, but the fact that they got it right at all...)

I have no idea what the novels say with reference to Shinto, though, but it would be pretty embarassing if he didn't get them correct.

So that's religion down. Now to race:

As mentioned, Mithril is, as expected, a UN of mercenaries, and if any race in particular is missing, blame it on lack of exposure rather than any actual discrimination intended. And considering how FMP is set in a world where the Cold War never really ended (not that it's a big issue anymore), it was definitely a nice touch to put both a Russian and a Briton that high up on the TDD's command chain.

Race is rarely an issue, except for wondering about nationalities (Grouseaux again) and where cultural factors would come into play (Mao in Hongkong), and characters are depicted without devolving into any particular stereotypes...

...except for Grouseaux's fighting style. Is it too much to ask that a dark-skinned character (who was described as actually being a tone closer to Arabian) should have a fighting style that doesn't resemble breakdancing?

So does anyone have any thoughts on this matter? I might get to the issue on culture later...

SOULS_LEADER · Post by **SOULS_LEADER** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:02 am

Don't really know, but that move that he used against Kurz looks like a Kung Fu move

Pyrite · Post by **Pyrite** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:19 pm

...I wouldn't know either, but the description of Grouseaux's moves as being like a dance, and especially one particular part where the Falke balances on one hand and spin-kicks the Arbalest with both legs, sounds almost stereotypical. I'm probably mistaken, though, since he references Oriental martial arts at one point.

If there's one particular group that may be regarded as being discriminated against, though, it's probably the Americans.

You've got the crew from "The Wind in the Homeland", and then you've got Killy B. Sailor (who can forget "REMEMBER PEARL HARBOUR!!!!!"?), and then there's this hardly-flattering description of some Mithril veterans:

kj1980, from animesuki wrote:[ecs]Sousuke's image of these old geezers using examples of people he works with:

Former US Navy Fleet Admiral Jerome Border - An aloha shirt wearing who guffaws annoyingly

Former US Navy Vice Admiral Kevin Skyray - "Tessa-tan, would you want to experience a dangerous love affair with me?" (age Kurtz Weber 50+ years and you'll get him)

Former US Marine Corps Lt. Colonel J.G. Courtney - A man who cusses and swears excessively and uses the word "fudgie" and "fudgie" as an adjective to everything (Mao becomes like this when she's drunk)

Former US Navy Captain Roy Seals - "Te...Tessa-tan, [breathes heavily] Care to join me for a stroll? [breathes heavily]" (If Major Kalinin was a lecher, you get him)

Former US Navy Rear Admiral Thomas Ross - "Tessa-tan! Here! You've gotta look at the tatoo I have engraved on my butt!!" (If Commander Mardukas went insane, you get him)[/ecs]

...or maybe it's just the West Coast, as Tessa points out.

Ah well... *steps off soapbox*

Post by **Taurec** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:55 pm

I'm not really surprised about the american bashing, in various other anime we have the usual US sniping stereotypes.

Kuisanagi · Post by **Kuisanagi** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:27 pm

Sousuke seems to have some trace of Islamic background...in DVMC, it mentions that when he was in Afghanistan he wasn't concerned much with Christmas except as the time when his enemies relax their guard, but he was worried about the coming of Ramadan [whether or not for some otaku military reason is left unsaid].

Edited a troublesome typo. - K

sj4iy · Post by **sj4iy** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:23 pm

Well, it's not surprising about Sousuke's Islamic background, considering he spent his impressionable youth in the middle east. He would have obviously picked up on it there.

Pyrite · Post by **Pyrite** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:25 am

Well, even if he isn't Muslim - and I doubt he is, personally - he at least would have picked up on the behaviour of his Afghan comrades. (Although whether they would have actually fasted for an entire month is questionable, seeing how anything goes in a guerilla war.)

Kentiah · Post by **Kentiah** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 3:54 am

Hm, was kinda wondering, exactly what ehinicity (sp?) is Teletha? I'm pretty sure she's not Japanese, in the first season, (now I'm running off of memory here, and a pretty cruddy memory at that) but when Kaname and Teletha were taken hostage, I think he said somthing around "Send the Caucasion woman first" and then I don't remember exactly but it may have been like and the "Japanese girl over second".

Again, I'm running off of crappy memory, and I can't really go back and rewatch the episode, so yeah, I kind of assumed that Teletha was American, but that was just an assumption on my part, mostly cause I'm white also, and live in America, so it was the first thing I thought of lol.

Unless I'm retarded (and I may very well be -.-) Caucasion means white right? I brought this up, because he distinguished Chidori as Japanese, like shes different, so yeah... lol

Would like to state for a third time, crappy memory (b^_^)b

Oh, and by the way, I think I spelled Caucasion wrong xD

REALLY BIG EDIT: Woohoo, guess what, I AM retarded, lol, theres a post about this already, I was just to dumb to look >_>;

Pyrite · Post by **Pyrite** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:43 am

Tessa: probably Italian-American (East Coast), presumably Catholic.

KiLlEr · Post by **KiLlEr** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 2:32 pm

Tessa also lived (grew up?) on Okinawa in the U.S. military base.

sj4iy · Post by **sj4iy** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 9:06 pm

I don't think Sousuke's a Muslim...I just meant that he does have Islamic influences (which is clearly stated in the novels) b/c of having spent his youth in the middle east.

From what I've gathered about Ramadan from the Muslims I know, it is one of their most important traditions, and I wouldn't imagine any Muslims skipping it. You fast all day then feast after the sun has gone down.

Pyrite · Post by **Pyrite** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:57 pm

Yeah, agreed. But with regards to Ramadan, though, the events of recent years have made me wonder if Muslim guerilla forces actually do attempt to fast if the war should extend over that month. I mean, with fasting all day and feasting all night, you can't expect to run a war that way.

Kentiah · Post by **Kentiah** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:19 am

Especially since the best attacks are made at night...

Wild Goose · Post by **Wild Goose** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 1:52 am

I recall one of my muslim friends telling me that people on a long journey/prilgrimage are exempted (musafir), as are kids and the sick.

Besides, around 3 am, they wake up for the sahur meal anyhow, the small meal that will give them strenght for the rest of the day.

And dudes, they break the fast at dusk, ya'know. *shrugs* Besides, maybe since this is a jihad, you can skip fasting?

... Nah, probably not.

Pyrite · Post by **Pyrite** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 8:18 am

Dusk, shmusk.

People love attacking at dusk too.

Well, guerilla warfare might count as a long journey... but I'm hardly an authority on Islamic tradition anyway. And being a bit of a glutton, I can't see how one small meal gives you enough strength for the entire day, even though I know it's possible. However, I also know that in our local armed forces, the Muslims get assigned light duty over Ramadan. Perhaps it's all situational - after all, all's fair in war.

The reason I mentioned recent events was that I recall some debate (during the most recent war in Afghanistan) about attacking over the period of Ramadan. I don't remember if anything more was said or done on the matter, though.

And frankly, Tau, Gatou's negative depiction of the Americans is quite a surprise to me (in spite of the fine history of the Japanese media[/sarcasm]), given the relative even-handedness which he's treated most other races, even the Chinese, from what I've seen. If there's any evidence to the contrary, do mention it - my views are limited.