J.J.R. Ramey

IS THERE A RACIST THEME IN THE ALIEN ADVENTURE 'AVATAR?'
Source: Associated Press

'Avatar' remains the top box-office draw in the U.S. for the fourth straight weekend with $48.5 million. In the 20th Century Fox production, the character Neytiri, is voiced by Zoe Saldana and the character Jake, voiced by Sam Worthington.

Near the end of the hit film the villain snarls at the hero, "How does it feel to betray your own race?" Both men are white — although the hero is inhabiting a blue-skinned, 9-foot-tall, long-tailed alien. Strange as it may seem for a film that pits greedy, immoral humans against noble denizens of a faraway moon, "Avatar" is being criticized by a small but vocal group of people who allege it contains racist themes — the white hero once again saving the primitive natives.

Since the film opened to widespread critical acclaim three weeks ago, hundreds of blog posts, newspaper articles, tweets and YouTube videos have said things such as the film is "a fantasy about race told from the point of view of white people" and that it reinforces "the white Messiah fable." The film's writer and director, James Cameron, says the real theme is about respecting others' differences.

The only way you can judge 'Avatar', is to go see it fr yourself. Racism or not, 'Avatar'is real fun. And make sure you see it in 3-D. You'll be thrilled!