This way to the stars

In defense of Earth's finest (fictional) heroes

Watching animated cartoons does not mean that I am regressing to the mental capacity of my former four-year-old self.

And for that matter, not all cartoons have stupid juvenile brain-rotting storylines.

While I was watching the Justice League and Static Shock on Cartoon Network last night, my dad said that I was "retrogressing" (he probably meant to use the word "regressing") to a child-like mentality, since he thinks that those cartoons are dumb and juvenile.

In my opinion however, his opinion is pure prejudice, balderdash, codswallop, and poppycock.

Again, let me reiterate that not all cartoons are juvenile, and Justice League is a prime example. Anybody who has watched it would agree that, although it is animated and showcases the world's most famous animated superheroes worshipped and idolized by preschool fan boys, the storyline is far too complex and mature for it to be called a kid's show (just check the internet forums on the subject if you're really doubting me). Even the cartoon's producers say that the show is aimed for an older demographic (such as teens and young adults) than one that would usually watch, say, Dexter's Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, and Sabrina the Animated Series (heaven forbid!).

Themes in the Justice League episode are anything but juvenile. Instead, they are realistic and political, to the point that the preschool fan boys whom my dad thinks are the only ones who should watch the show can only appreciate the fight scenes (in other words, the parts where the superheroes "kick butt"). There are issues of euthanasia, feminism, loneliness and isolation, government corruption, Greek mythology, superhero insecurities, betrayals, exile, teamwork, etc etc. For example, when tyrannical and agressive aliens bent on destroying the Earth out of war and self-interest come under the guise of aid and benevolence, they proclaim that in order for the Earth to be protected and saved, no one should question their authoritarian rule and violent methods (Iraq, anyone? It was a perfect illustration of Machiavelli's famous statement "the end justifies the means"). Also, in the current storyline, a confidential government program known as Project Cadmus seeks to eradicate the Justice League in all ways possible because they find their superpowers to be a threat, not a safeguard, to the world. Now if that isn't a new perspective on the usual "the good guys fight the bad guys and kick their asses" routine, I don't know what is.

Maybe I'm just being a defensive conspiracy theorist in finding issues like these in a cartoon. But then again, I doubt if I'd be able to find themes and concepts in the same level as these in a show like Ed, Edd, and Eddy (again, heaven forbid!) and Rugrats.

Again, what I'm trying to say is that not all cartoons are juvenile. Some, like the Justice League, actually have substance that egoistic and high-and-mighty people like my dad shouldn't turn their nose up against. That would just be prejudice, since who can instantly pass judgment on something that they don't know about? Call me a hypocrite, but that seems to me to be very immature, the total opposite of what my dad tries to be with his condescending air. What I wish most of all is that he (and others like him) would try to keep an open mind and respect people's preferences without thinking that they are always better than everyone else; after all, since everyone is unique and each one has a different mindset, preferences should not be debated (like what I did just now) out of pride, defensiveness, or anger.

Who's regressing now, huh?

posted by steph @ 6:13 PM