#like idk what's worse--- people outright hating on these (woc) female characters or attempting to mask it with “girlboss!”
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sukibenders · 1 month ago
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Some in the Arcane fandom think they are being helpful when, regarding Mel having romantic relationships, they say "She's a strong, independent woman who doesn't need a (in this case) man", but they really aren't. Even if they don't mean to, or were being genuine, the statement is still riddled with many undertones because the "Strong Black Woman" trope is often placed on so many black female characters to often deny them the opportunity of love and care and protection that they, in fiction and real life, are often not given or given right off the bat in comparison to their counterparts, to the point where they don't even get the choice either, as well as to push them aside.
It's not even a compliment because, oftentimes, when this term/trope is used, it doesn't even take into account the amount of stress it takes to be strong, let alone strong and alone. Another thing, which also makes it very backhanded, this trope really rears its head regarding Mel from a lot of JayVik fans, some who I will give benefit of doubt while others know exactly what they are doing. Using this term to brush off the fact that, whether you ship them or not, Mel and Jayce shared a bond with one another and she would obviously be saddened to hear of his demise (unless some of you are still running with the trope of her being heartless or just like Ambessa, and even that loses weight when you see Ambessa call Mel her literal weakness). Like, apply this to real life, why would you automatically assume that a black woman doesn't need love just because she's strong? Why do you think she doesn't need to be held or consoled? Why don't you think black girls and women want to see black female characters who are, not only, strong and have power, but also loved and cherished in the same breath?
To add on, there's this trend in fandom of labeling a female character as a "girlboss" or "queen" or just any of these terms, but not doing/adding anything else to her character besides "She's strong!" but will write 1000 word essays on the male characters within the same media. Do you see the problem here? This happens with Mel so much to the point where people don't even know who she is as a character. People (specifically toxic shippers) said that she's just like Ambessa, but the show went out of its way to show you again and again why she is not. Or did you just ignore it/watch with your eyes closed?
#mel medarda#arcane mel#anti jayvik#but more so their toxic (& sometimes racist & misogynistic stans)#mel deserves so much better than to be redused to a trope let alone one that can also cause harm#some of you in this fandom aren't slick whether you like it or not#watch me drop an arcane fic that accurately portrays mel and shows her love in the same breath#arcane#it reminds of how some in the voltron fandom interacted with allura especially k*ance shippers#like idk what's worse--- people outright hating on these (woc) female characters or attempting to mask it with “girlboss!”#both are terrible#or especially with bonnie bc you would try to ship her with other male characters especially ones with questionable morals and for some#reason the fandom & producers who is quick to ship the yte female characters with these same men#but as soon as it came to bonnie it was “oh she's too morally good for them” but elena and care who are held in the same regard aren't? 🤨#it's also important to note that while people ship mel with other female characters like sevika#some specific people within the fandom (not just with her either) with ship a female character with another only if they view them as an#obstacle to their m/m ship & u can tell it's not genuine bc they don't do anything more to add to this f/f ship that they said they suppose-#dly love now all of sudden or that is “better” than the og f/m that they were saying was so “bland” but can't give more for this f/f ship?#you aren't slick and this isn't even good f/f rep bc you can tell that they weren't being genuine
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