A brief thought on Avatar in relation to Human Terrain System

[drakewind]

The comparison is obvious. What is troubling is that the conclusion seem to be: We will never know 'the Other' well enough to understand 'where they are coming from' without (literally) walking in their skin. The message to the social sciences seems to be "you will enver know what you are not

Comments

[drakewind]

It was more of a thought I wanted to get get down on paper than an outright condemnation - and 'racist' is a strong word I think. I just wanted to explore the possibilities of meaning and effect in relation to casting humans as non-human - we could be having the same dialogue regarding zombies or what-have-you.

[mikoandnoel]

seems telling of our often unwillingness to even attempt to understand/empathize/treat people in non-oppressive ways - if we can just shrug and say "we'll never understand them anyway," it's easier not to try.