#hispanic nico robin

[kloudprince]

An impromptu rant about the Nico Robin casting

I'm severely disappointed in the Nico Robin casting choice. I've been sitting with my thoughts for the past few days. My thoughts have not changed and there is little anyone can say to change them.

I think a hispanic/latina actress should have been cast, just like casting call said. As a latina, I was overjoyed when I saw that the casting call said that they were looking for a latina actress to play Robin. I felt seen. Robin is one of my favorite characters and the idea that someone who looked like me was going to play her was exciting. I'd been been eagerly anticipating the announcement of her casting and then two days ago, I saw the leak. Initially, I was okay with Lera Abova as Robin. Yes, I think she can fit the role VISUALLY. But I think playing a character involves more than just visuals. There is a lot more nuance that I don't think people are taking into consideration. They just see a pretty woman who kinda looks like Robin and loose their minds.

Outside of my personal feelings (betrayal) over the casting choice, I do have some narrative (/narrative adjacent) reasons why I think a latina actress would have been more powerful and why Robin does NOT need to be Russian.

Robin's story contains heavy themes of genocide, oppression, and destruction of ancient history & texts

The burning of Ohara, the Buster Call (genocide) of all Oharan citizens, and Robin's persecution. Considering all of these aspects of her story we can draw parallels with the history of the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica. During the age of colonization, Spaniards intentionally destroyed texts in order to prevent the continued practice of indigenous languages, religions, and other cultural practices. In a similar way, the World Government destroyed or attempted to destroy the books and research the scholars of Ohara kept within the Tree of Knowledge. Across the Americas, indigenous people were persecuted and oppressed in some way shape or form. Robin, from age 8, had a bounty placed on her head and was hunted like an animal for simply existing and holding knowledge that the government deemed illegal. Robin as a character, represents the resilience of Ohara and the dedication they had to learning the true history of their world. She is last surviving member of her native community and she's going up against the most powerful organization in world. I'm sorry but seeing some white girl play a role like this just feels disheartening. In all honesty, I think an actress of indigenous decent would have been far more powerful. Though I know Netflix would likely never cast an indigenous actress in such a major role but I think at least casting a latina actress would have been significantly more powerful than just another white girl.

Current world events should be taken into consideration when casting a character with a story that touches on such delicate topics.

Now I don't agree with anyone who sends hate or harassment towards Lera Abova simply for being Russian. The Russian Government is to blame for the war in Ukraine, NOT the Russian people. I don't know what beliefs Lera holds regarding the conflict so I can not speak on that. However, I think it was tone deaf on the part of Netflix and the OPLA production team to cast a Russian actress as a character who's entire story revolves around genocide, persecution, and oppression considering what the Russian Government is currently doing in Ukraine. I wish we lived in a world where things like war didn't have to be considered when producing entertainment. Unfortunately, we live in a world where media has a heavy impact on how we view the world. Also One Piece has always been a very politically charged series so taking it just, to me at least, makes sense to consider real world political issues when producing a show that has such a global audience. Had Lera been cast as ANY other character in the OPLA I don't think this would be an issue. It's because she's set to play Robin that people are taking issue with. This is such a nuanced issue that I don't think anyone is really speaking about with the respect it deserves.

edit: I'm not saying that I think that the roll should be recast or that Lera is undeserving of such a huge roll or anything like that. What's done is done and I'm sure Lera is going to do a great job. I just bring up this idea because I think it's something that people should at least take into consideration instead of blindly accepting a casting choice. There's always nuance to these decisions and issues.

She does NOT need to be Russian just because Oda mentioned her being Russian in ONE SBS.

I keep seeing people say things like "Oh well Oda is okay with so it's fine" or "Robin is supposed to be Russian, Oda said so." I'm tired of it. People are allowed to disagree or be unhappy with Oda's choices. He is not a flawless individual. He still has biases. Besides, he's already not following his own set nationalities/ethnicities for the characters we'd already seen. He said Luffy was Brazilian, Iñaki is Mexican. He said Sanji was French, Taz is British. He said Nami was Swedish, Emily is American. Usopp doesn't even have a set nationality or ethnicity, HE'S JUST AFRICAN!! What Oda says in an SBS is NOT the end all be all. He's proven that much with the casting decisions we've seen so far. I don't understand this insistence that each casting choice NEEDS to follow this one fucking SBS that Oda made in 2009!! Some of the nationalities clearly have more thought put into them than others. Usopp being a prime example, because he didn't even get a country! He got the whole fucking continent of Africa. However, if you look at his design he at least looks Black (except for when Toei Animation decides to steal his fucking melanin) Zoro is a great example of a character who's nationality was well thought out and integrated into the narrative. His backstory, his fighting style, most of his clothing, and his presumed connection to the country of Wano all implement aspects of Japanese culture within the narrative. On the other hand, you have Sanji, who is French simply because he is a chef. I think Robin falls into the later category. I don't think there was a lot of thought put into her being Russian.

Thanks to anyone who actually read through all my ramblings. You're allowed to disagree with me. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Please don't yell at me, I will cry. Anyways, check out this tiktok from @/ xibalba1m. She talks about why Oda might have said Robin was Russian and how it relates to the history of the indigenous people of Mesoamerica and the latina Robin casting call. She articulates a lot of what I was thinking about really well, please check her out. (disclaimer: her video was made in May, months before the casting reveal.)

For those who want to see the nationalities SBS, here

EDIT: Also almost all of her attacks (at least in the english translation) are in spanish.

[baaahphomette]

Ugly men stop insulting women challenge: impossible

Context: I genuinely want to audition for the live action Nico Robin and I’m looking for a casting agent. I saw a post about how they’re looking for a woman with Hispanic heritage between the ages of 20-29, a description which I fit.

Beauty doesn’t define Nico Robin’s character. Her intellect does. Her curiosity got her in the sticky situation she is in now. Her shrewdness, dark humour, and studious personality all define her as a character.

I’m not the most gorgeous woman ever, I’m not ugly either, I’m just a normal woman with a passionate dream. I don’t want to be her for the fame or fortune. I just love One Piece so much I’d be honoured if they accepted my audition.

With that being said, as a mixed girl, I’m tired of being masculinised because I don’t fully fit a Eurocentric beauty standard nor do I look like the “sexy instagram latinas” commonly fetishised by white men. My tall nose, narrow eyes, and downturned lips are all feminine traits because I am a woman. Simple as that.

I’m not trans, but if I were that would be nobody’s business because it has nothing to do with the topic the post was about.

[corkcrab7-blog]

Award-Winning Original Series "Vida" Earns Third Season on Starz

AWARD-WINNING ORIGINAL SERIES "VIDA" EARNS THIRD SEASON ON STARZ

"'Vida' is an important series - for representation, for diversity, for women" - IndieWire

"It has a setting and a language that are its own, elevating a very good show to something quite vital." - The Hollywood Reporter

Santa Monica, Calif. - May 31, 2019 - Starz COO Jeffrey Hirsch announced today that the STARZ Original series "Vida" from Executive Producer and showrunner Tanya Saracho ("How to Get Away With Murder," "Looking," "Girls") has been picked up for a third season.

"It is a rarity in television today to have a series earn this level of critical praise for two consecutive seasons and spark cultural conversation in the way that 'Vida' has," said Hirsch. "We are proud to continue to tell this story with Tanya and the incredible cast and crew she has assembled."

Winner of the 2019 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy series and earning 100% on Rotten Tomatoes for both seasons, "Vida" was created by Tanya Saracho, who executive produces alongside Big Beach TV's Robin Schwartz, Peter Saraf and Marc Turtletaub with Stephanie Langhoff.

"Vida's" Hispanic audience has grown 56% compared to the same period in Season 1,* giving it the highest Hispanic audience composition among premium scripted series in 2019 (Live+3).** Additionally, STARZ Hispanic subs have grown 17% since the series premiered in May 2018*** and the number of new customers who watched "Vida" season two on the app in the first seven days was almost double year over year.

"'Vida' isn't special only because it's putting underrepresented American stories onscreen. It's special because it's doing it so well, mining the epic drama and the discrete experiences of its characters' lives to create something that's elaborate, distinct, and beautiful all at the same time." - The Atlantic

In the second season of "Vida," Lyn and Emma begin the monumental task of rebuilding their mother's business while navigating financial constraints, competing developers, and the growing anti-gentrification movement. Lyn and Emma must contemplate the relationships in their lives, including their own, and are forced to dig deep to unearth what their mother's legacy means to them.

"Vida" stars Melissa Barrera ("Club de Cuervos" and upcoming features In the Heights and Carmen) as Lyn, Mishel Prada ("Fear The Walking Dead: Passage") as Emma, Ser Anzoategui ("East Los High") as Eddy, Chelsea Rendon (Bright) as Marisol, Carlos Miranda (The Bling Ring) as Johnny, and Roberta Colindrez ("I Love Dick") as Nico.

Senior Vice President of Original Programming Kathryn Tyus-Adair is the Starz executive in charge of "Vida."

ABOUT STARZ

Starz (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), is a leading global media and entertainment company that produces and distributes premium streaming content to worldwide audiences across subscription television platforms. Starz is home to the flagship domestic STARZ(R) brand, STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels and the associated on-demand and online services, including the highly rated STARZ app. With the launch of the STARZPLAY international premium streaming platform and STARZ PLAY Arabia, Starz is expanding its global footprint in a growing number of territories. Sold through multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, telecommunications companies, and other online and digital platforms, Starz offers subscribers more than 7,500 distinct premium television episodes and feature films, including STARZ Original series, first-run movies and other popular programming.

*Source: Nielsen Live +3 Hispanic HH Reach of Premiere night linear as well as first 5 days VOD viewing of Vida S1 vs S2.

**Source: Nielsen Live +3 Hispanic and Composite HH audience for HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and STARZ scripted series (based on average episode premieres).

***Source: Nielsen Hispanic HH UE of STARZ in May 2018 vs June 2019.

Source: http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/05/31/award-winning-original-series-vida-earns-third-season-on-starz-233010/20190531starz01/

[this-badass-cutie-patootie]

Rules: answer the 20 questions and tag followers you’d like to get to know better!

Thanks for tagging me, @freesoulpatrol!

Name: Kayla

Nicknames: People on here have taken to calling me Kay because of Haiykuties, but my close friends sometimes call me Gayla

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius 

Height: 5′1″

Orientation: “I like boys but they make me wish I didn’t”

Ethnicity: Hispanic

Favorite Fruit: Oranges!

Favorite Season: Winter

Favorite Book: I have too many favorites to name, but the first book series I fell in love with was Warrior Cats

Favorite Flower: Hibiscuses, and Lilies 

Favorite Scent: Too many pertaining to food of some sort xD book smell and new car smell are both part of my top scents

Favorite Color: Most greens! I especially love that deep, rich, emerald green. In general I love cool colors

Favorite Animal: Tigers and/or Snow Leopards!

Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate: Finally hot chocolate is included in this question. Justice is sweet (honestly, these weren’t my words, but it sums up my feelings exactly @freesoulpatrol)

Average Hours of Sleep: Usually I love sleeping for at least 9 hours, but my sleep schedule has been all over the place lately (4-6 hours a night? and sometimes 9 hrs)

Cats or Dogs: Screw you “or”, more like dogs AND cats (however, you’ll see me defend cats more often than not because they get way too much unnecessary shit and they don’t deserve that #catsdeservebetter)

Fictional Favorite Character: Don’t make me choose, they are all my beloved children or husbands/wives. (recently it’s been Kagura and Gintoki from Gintama, but some honorable mentions would be Bokuto Koutaro, Murasakibara Atsushi, Kagami Taiga, Roronoa Zoro, Blackleg Sanji, Nico Robin, and Tony Tony Chopper)

Number of Blankets you sleep with: three #thicc comforters, and two throw blankets (I am very prone to feeling cold)

Dream Trip: I really don’t feel the want to travel that much? It’s not really my dream, but if I had to take a trip of my choice out of the country, I’d want to go to Spain, Greece, Italy, and Japan, and spend at least a week in all of them.

Number of Followers: A little past 200! 

People i am Tagging: @lanaxhaze @smolgay-bean @anipwrites & @oikws

(y’all don’t have to do it if you don’t want to!)

[tsukkiberries]

Tagged by @starlight–child, thank you!!

ヾ(¯∇￣๑)

Rules: Answer 20 questions and tag 20 amazing followers you would like to get to know better.

Name: Kaitlynn

Nickname: Lynn, KK

Birth month: March

Height: 5ft5.3in or 165.8cm

Ethnicity: Hispanic (my mom is Puerto Rican and my dad is Colombian)

Orientation: Pan/Lith

Fruit: I have such a hard time choosing between watermelon and strawberries tbh, they’re both sooo good

Favorite season: winter bc it’s cold and cold is a rare thing where I live, also prime holiday baking time

Books: There are so many great series out there, but while I love Rick Riordan books to death, I’m gonna have to say one of my all-time fave series is Gregor and the Underland Chronicles ^^

Flowers: I honestly don’t have a fave flower I think?? Roses if I had to pick, I guess.

Scent: Vanilla for sure

Animals: not sure if this is fave animal or what animals I have, but I have a boxer named Poncho and he’s the best, also I think bats are absolutely amazing creatures

Beverage: Milk

Hours of sleep: maybe around 5-7 hours? at least while it’s summer rip

Favorite fictional characters: Lance and everyone on team voltron tbh, Nico Robin and Portgas D. Ace (One Piece), Nico di Angelo (PJO), Tsukishima Kei (Haikyuu!!), Hinata Hajime (Danganronpa 2), Ruby and Diamond (Pokespe), Norman (The Promised Neverland), Kishinuma Yoshiki (Corpse Party), Kurapika (HxH), I’m just gonna stop for now or else this will never end ;;;

Number of Blankets You Sleep with: 1 but sometimes 2

Dream Trip: I wanna travel to Japan, but some places in Hokkaido in particular :3

Blog Created: 2013 apparently, wow

Number of followers: 407

Tagging: @akaiiakuma, @we-the-broken-ones, @hanbin-on-ice, @totalcanadianweeb, @vibesvaldez, @alicexoz614, @flockofpidge (yeahhh, it feels weird trying to tag 20 people so I'ma stop)

[broodxblue]

TAG GAME!

I was surprised to be tagged but nonetheless grateful to the amazingly talented @saltyshiro

Rules: Answer 20 questions and tag 20 awesome followers you would like to know better.

Name: Daisy

Nickname: Don’t really have one but sometimes I’m called Dae Dae by my friends or Daisy Maria by my family.

Birth Month: January

Height: 5'2 ( I’m a short bean).🙃

Ethnicity: Hispanic

Orientation: Heterosexual (But doesn’t mean I can’t admire).

Fruit: Since I’m basically allergic to all fruit but pineapple, I will have to go with pineapples. 🍍

Favorite Season: Autumn

Books: Enders game, Deep dark and dangerous, Percy Jackson( read the first two books), Cinder

Favorite Flowers: Cherry Blossom

Favorite scent: Wet earth, lavender, cotton, new car and cherry

Favorite animals: Dogs, foxes, wolves, beta fishes, hermit crabs and horses.

Favorite beverage: green tea( hot or iced doesn’t matter), or lemonade

Hours of sleep:6-7 at most

Favorite fictional characters: Lance(Voltron), Shiro(Voltron),Red hood(Batman), Robin-Nightwing(Batman, Nico(Percy Jackson), Wonder Woman(D.C.), Castiel(Supernatural)

Number of blankets you sleep with: 1 but it’s thick and fluffy so…😬

Dream trip: Seattle, Washington. Japan. France. Spain. Iceland. New York

Blog created: I don’t remember the year I started it but I think I had one before I deleted it

Number of followers: 22

I don’t have many people to tag that would add up to the needed 20 so these will do: @lovelylangst @shklanceonfleek @bluethepaladin @blackkatblanket @shittyshklance @watsonthebox @sugarstarblast @stephaniebithell @weepingladylangst @ohwhataprettypinkhat @oceanleggy