The Idea of an Essay, Volume 2

163 Disguised in an Avatar body, Jake (the main character) befriends the natives with the goal of securing the precious rock. As time will tell, however, Jake’s interactions with the Na’vi people radically transform his world. Surprisingly, despite its immense success, critics have pointed their fingers at the film, labeling it a “racist” “Pocahontas story” (Washington). Although James Cameron’s Avatar contains stereotypes, the typical “superior-versus-inferior” conflict, and a “white savior,” the film does not communicate a message of racism. In fact, several details within the movie blatantly challenge ethnocentrism, imperialism and cruelty. Pandora (the Na’vi homeland) far surpasses Earth with its breathtaking beauty, and it transforms and enlightens the miserable characters arriving from Earth. Although Jake does lead the Na’vi tribe to victory, he continuously relies on the chief’s daughter to train him and, in several instances, save his life. Finally, in a crushing blow to the racism accusation, Jake eventually abandons his white race, morphing completely into a full-blooded Na’vi. Of course, critics do cite valid arguments to support their accusations of the film. One critic in particular, Mitu Sengupta, argues strongly that the message of Avatar is blatantly racist (413). To begin with, the movie does contain several stereotypes and clichés. As in so many other films, the “white men” are brutal, ignorant, and heartless, with no regard for suffering. They refer to the Na’vi as “blue monkeys” and “fly-bitten savages that live in a tree” (Cameron). The animation directors portray the Na’vi people with stereotypical African and Indian features, such as tribal jewelry, dreadlocks, mohawks, and feathers in their hair. Portrayed as animalistic, the natives hiss, growl, and sport cat-like eyes and tails. Critics question Cameron’s stereotypical portrayal of the natives, along with his decision to cast African-American and Latino actors as Na’vi characters (Washington). Sengupta in particular refers to the “white man messiah” as the most supportive element for ethnocentrism, objecting strongly to the fact that the Na’vi seem unable to save themselves (413). Actress Robinne Lee comments, “It’s really upsetting in many ways. It would be nice if we could save ourselves” (Washington). Although many argue that Cameron’s film should be rejected for its messages of racism and imperialism, several details from the film disprove this position. Throughout Avatar, it is clearly Cameron’s intent to