fickle | Esmeralda, my Favorite Character of Color: International Blog Against Racism Week.

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Esmeralda, my Favorite Character of Color: International Blog Against Racism Week.

ryda_wong suggested that for IBARW, people talk about their favorite Character of Color.

Instantly, that brought to mind a discussion that I'd been having with my friend Numa the other day about the character Alex from Totally Spies. There are three main chars in Totally Spies. Clover has blonde hair and blue eyes. Samantha has red hair and green eyes. Alex has brown skin, black hair, and brown eyes.

I always assumed that Alex was South Asian, but Numa pointed out that she could be black. I didn't think that black made much sense because Alex has very sleek hair with just a hint of wave at the ends, which looks South Asian to my eyes and her face is rounded.

Of course, according to Numa, all three characters are pretty much exactly the same.

I think of Sam as being the smart one, Clover as being the fashionista and Alex as the nerdy, slightly ditzy one. So different personalities! Sometimes.

The thing is, I think that Numa is right. Alex might be brown-skinned and dark-haired, but there's very little apart from that which makes her a Character of Color. We have no idea where she's from, what her background is, and it seems a bit like she got thrown in there just to make be the token splash of color.

So clearly, I need to find someone else to pimp out. But see, the problem is, my favorite chars who are chars of color, like Esmeralda or Mulan from the Disney movies, are my favorites for feminist reasons. Having to think about them in terms of race is a little new, but let's have at it.

So, why pick Esmeralda?

For one thing, she has dark skin, black hair and green eyes. That happens to be the particular combination that I've always wanted since I was a kid. And her skin is brown. Not pale-enough-to-pass-for-white but actual and definite brown. It's darker than what I'd think of as gypsies but you can see that the gypsies, those who live in the Court of Miracles, are definitely different to the Parisians.

...Actually, racial discrimination is one of the movie's themes. According to Wiki, it's one of the few movies to feature an interracial couple, and Frollo's hunting of the gypsies is one of the driving plot points.

Frollo loathes gypsies, and uses religion justify his dislike of them. And yet, he craves Esmeralda. He holds her against him and sniffs her hair, then says he was imagining a noose around her neck, only to have Esmeralda hiss that she knows what he was imagining.

Esmeralda has guts. She says gypsies don't do well within stone walls and calls for justice for her people. Her speech while untying Quasimodo is one of my favorites: "You mistreat this poor boy the same way you mistreat my people. You speak of justice, yet you are cruel to those most in need of your help. "

She wants justice for the gypsies. She's a social activist. She doesn't hesitate to call Frollo out; she reminds Quasimodo that she's a gypsy when he's trying to read her palm and call her good and kind and uses that to show that Frollo is wrong about both of them. He's not a monster, and neither is she wicked.

True, you could say that she's perpetuating stereotypes about gypsies always doing magic tricks, being cliquish and uncanny and gorgeous, but frankly, I love Esmeralda. She's brave, she's outspoken, she takes risks and she's compassionate.

She's a great feminist character, a great Character of Color and a great character, full stop.

Let's face it, people: Esmeralda rocks my socks right off.

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First off: Esmerelda is made of win ^_~

As for Totally Spies - I never could get into the show xD I TRIED and all I saw were three girls that seemed to be the same on the inside, but different on the outside. That's all I gathered besides my not-too-fond-of-it before stepping away and finding something else to watch. For me, unless the character was defined as being from somewhere, I left them as "human" (not that those FROM somewhere - defined - weren't Human *sweatdrop*) and didn't really put much thought into anything further of it. I always felt their personality was what mattered more to me. So I dare say, that's interesting. I wonder how many cartoons actually put emphasis into defining where their character is from vs just making them look "pretty" or "ugly" or "dangerous" (etc).

And to what Wiki points out? Very interesting. While it's clearly racial discrimination, I never put it into those words/thoughts before. In a sense, the way you worded the following paragraph makes me think that Esmeralda is more of a "forbidden fruit" to Frollo. Which I suppose makes sense, considering he heavily uses religion to back himself up...

And oh yesh, Esmeralda has TONS of guts. She's also not one to just go "you're my hero~" without thinking first. And that quote? One of my favourites. Another are the lyrics from the song she sings ^^;

You remind me of the points onto WHY I love the movie. The main reasons I love the movie is HER. Her words. Her actions. Her behavior. Her reminder of what a monster is and isn't - and justice.

And, honestly? XD I think that every single person probably has at least ONE stereotype that can be slapped on them. So, the stereotype she has vs her AWESOMEness? Dude, no contest. Aka, I dare agree with you~ Agree like whoa.

Esmeralda is totally made of win. XD

And yeah, I have to admit that the show doesn't do a great job of keeping their personalities consistent or even very different. According to Numa, all three of them even have the same sort of face/body, despite the difference in coloring, which I also have to admit is true.

...But I still like the show, damnit!

Wiki-wise, gods, yes. I started this post off wondering how I'd be able to talk about Esmeralda in racial terms and then I realized that the major plot of the novel apart from Quasi being normal is that Frollo is trying to carry out genocide. Pretty mature for a Disney movie, right?

I also think you're right about the lure of the forbidden for Frollo. He talks about her in terms of hellfire, says she's driving him 'to sin', and knows he shouldn't want her but does. Her sheer exoticism -- just how different she is, not only in looks but also personality -- might be part of it, as well as the fact that she's not afraid of him or subservient to him like practically everyone else in the movie is.

She fights for herself, she fights for Quasi, she gets away from ten armed men and yes, in the end she gets rescued from burning to death but she chose to burn to death rather than become Frollo's courtesan. Esmeralda chose her own death rather than give in to fear.

She is pretty damn amazing, and so is that movie.

Pocahontas is another character of color that I love. Maybe I'll do a second post about her, and remind you why that movie is worth loving too. ♥

~~I used to want to dress up as her. Still would, if I could. And dance. And be more BOLD.~~

LOL! Hey, if you enjoy it, it's not harming anyone! By all means, enjoy XD Maybe I'll give it another shot?

Pretty mature for a Disney movie, right?

Y'know, despite a lot of their covered-fluff or "Happy Endings" ... they do touch underlining on a lot of dark stuff - though, I do think this is one of the heaviest when you DO look at it that way. No doubt. And, since I'm pretty sure genocide doesn't have to have religion as a reason, it's daring of them to use religion as an extra shove - using it as the "bad guys".

Indeed. When he's singing to the fire and his expressions and the way he holds her scarf... all of it pretty powerful imagery - and then for someone that's so bold to him on top of it. Like you said - she's different -- in every way for/to him... Which is why she rocks and he doesn't :D I think that's one of the few "opposites" that I don't "pair up"...

Esmeralda chose her own death rather than give in to fear. Which I can't love enough. I think it sends a powerful message - even if it might be overlooked for everything else in the movie. It says a lot and something I think more people should think about.

I do like Pocahontas as a Disney character, too. Though I wouldn't mind seeing another post to remind me of that xD Since, I haven't seen it in a while... I think she was the main reason behind my WATCHING the movie more than once -- that and "Colours of the Wind" >.>; ♥

I've never seen much of Totally Spies, though the episodes I've seen are funny! Yeah it's pretty hard to tell which nationality Alex is, I would just say she's AfroAmerican. I like strong female lead characters. However they were for me sometimes a little bit to silly! I didn't like Glover that much, she was sometimes to girly for me and Sam well a little bit nerdy. Actually I think Alex is the best one being a little bit of a tomboy. Besides that an average series. But I really love Esmeralda, one of my fave characters from the Disney movie. She's like a real spirited heroine and is strong willed. I think all of the other female characters are also beautiful but sometimes they lack a little bit of personality. They all have this princess attitude and are too naive for my part. Like for example Snow White, Cinderella or Belle! It's everytime the same beautiful innocent and naive girl goes through a great adventure and finds her great love! Boring for my part. This is the first movie from Disney that has a much more mature tune and features a heroine that also has a more complex character! She is strong, athletic, brave and spoken out much better than the rest of the female heroines. And also being more exotic with her gipsy origin. Well Phoebus was a little bit boring character as the knight in shining armour but okay though. I think probably the most mature movie of the Disney franchise and one of the best. The only thing that bothered me a little bit was the sequel of the movie, were they had their son Zephir! He just looks like a miniture version of Phoebus! He has got none of his matures features, Esmeralda has such dark skin and Zephirs skin is just plain white. He looks like a normal Paris citizen. I would expected him to be somewhat of a halfgipsy but you can not pinpoint out anything that his mother is a gipsy! A little bit strange! Besides the hunchback of Notre Dame I also like Mulan! That movie was pretty mature too and also Mulan was a strong female lead! I don't know if I like any other of the female characters from the Disney movies! Well for sure Arielle wasn't that bad being also outspoken and strong in character still the movie is for me a little bit too sweet as is the TV series. Sometimes overloaded with emotion! And Arielle is for me just too naive! Esmeralda and Mulan are definatly my fave female charas!

"And oh yesh, Esmeralda has TONS of guts. She's also not one to just go "you're my hero~" without thinking first."

What what WHAAAT?? But she is!!

*spoiler, hurr*

That's the very reason that she DIES, crying out for a disinterested, horndog "hero" to save her. Oh, Disney.

In the movie or the book? I've read some differences between the movie and the book, but have never read the book and my opinion here is basing it off of her as a character in the Disney movie as well as my interpretation/view of her ^^

I barely remember "Hunchback", but your writing was interesting. I couldn't help but be reminded of another character who is very similar to her, although you said you hated the book she's from, lol. I was really surprised, because I would have thought you'd really be attracted to this revolutionary character. A lot of the things you said about Esmeralda could also be attributed to Elphaba from Wicked! Although I imagine Musical!Elphaba as opposed to Book!Elphaba because I haven't read the book in years and don't remember it too well.

But in the musical, Elphaba is (technically!) a woman of color. She fights for the rights of Animals when everyone else refuses to acknowledge they are even being persecuted. Even when offered the tempting chance to ally herself with the Wizard, who would make her popular and well-loved, she refuses, because her ideals are to strong. She even parts ways with her best(only!?) friend in order to pursue her fight for justice. In the end, her efforts are proved rather fruitless, though. *tear*

P.S. I picked my Kermit icon because it's not easy being green.

The problem with Wicked is that I hated the book so none of the characters appealed to me. I might like the musical, don't know. ^^;;;

See, from my point, the book was just incredibly badly written. I had a really difficult time slogging through it and I pretty much had to force myself to finish it. I don't remember anything of it except being disgusted that an idea which sounded so interesting was so poorly executed.

You make her sound like an interesting character and she probably is; it's just that the book isn't interesting to me. XD

And awww, poor Kermit. *pets and uses her green icon as well*

Esmerelda was pretty bland in the book. She doesn't do much besides be hot and meek and Gypsy-like. Except she's not really a gypsy- she's just sun burned or something. Really. There IS a gypsy main character, but it's not who you think :D

I shouldn't judge things that I haven't seen, but it kinda bugs me that they made the movie into such a happy parable about social justice when the book revels in the base elements of humanity to make the same point. Why do they all survive? And how how how could they make Esmerelda live happily ever after with Phoebus, who is, in my opinion, the worst character in the book?? I mean, at least Frollo had childhood trauma (and the Catholic Church!) to turn him into such an asshole.

Also, I feel like I'm always posting negative things on your journal but it's because you always have such interesting topics. I can stop, seeing as how we don't really know each other. I was obsessed with the Hunchback in high school so I needed to post some of my whining.

Disney and Hugo's versions of Notre Dame de Paris are practically completely different.

Point 1: In the movie, Esmeralda is billed as a gypsy. In the book, she's not really a gypsy like you said. It would remove that complication and plot twists.

Point 2: Phoebus isn't a jerk! Disney would never portray the "noble captain" that Esmeralda loves as the horny brothel-frequenter that won't stay with her because he's got a better business deal with his fiancee. What I did find interesting is that he did about as much as Esmeralda did in the book. Getting hurt does that to you.

Point 3: It's been a while since I've seen Hunchback, but I don't think they ever mentioned Frollo's childhood. Don't think dissing the Catholic church in that way would go well.

While Disney glossed over all those pithy points, Disney did manage to provide a stronger female character in Esmeralda. What I didn't like though was how Phoebus and Esmeralda ended up together. Despite Quasimodo's efforts and devotion, Esmeralda ends up with the pretty boy. I'm not saying that women should fall for whoever happens to save her life, but the way the Disney movies go, that's who the heroines end up with, and it sucks the one time she doesn't, he happens to be deformed and she still ends up with the pretty one.

Yeah, I know! I was torn on that issue as well. On one hand, Phoebus was pretty damn heroic as well and Esmeralda got to save him instead of having to be saved, ie has the stronger role in that relationship, but on the other hand, poor Quasi!

But at the same time, my other favorite CoC is Pocahontas who also doesn't end up with John Smith (don't even TALK to me about the travesty that is the second movie) so there is apparently a theme of my fav female chars not sharing my taste in boys, or finding some things more important than I do.

But in a sense, it's kind of cooler that she doesn't feel obligated to Quasi or get described as his redeeming angel with the heart of gold who sees through his ugly exterior. It's a bit of her being selfish and making the best decision for herself instead of being the ministering angel that gives up her own needs for the sake of the man in her life.

...So basically, my opinion swings both ways.

Oh, you're free to post as much as you like to my journal. XD Especially about topics that interest you.

Book-wise, I have to admit, I haven't actually read the book. I think that I tried a few pages after I saw the movie, got so depressed and stopped. ^^;;; Which sounds awful, I know, especially since I'm the one usually in favor of reading.

Lily already did a great job of addressing your concern but basically, I'd guess that Disney movies don't usually like having unhappy endings, Phoebus was actually really cool in the movie, and whoa, Frollo had childhood trauma? They totally left that out in the movie.

Oh, and Quasi was just weird-looking. No sudden rage fits or anything!

If you can get past the costumes that, IMO, make them look mechanical, try the "Notre Dame de Paris" musical. Much more faithful to the book, and I love the songs. :)

I think it's completely against the Disney paradigm to have an unhappy ending. Yes, it'd be nice for Disney women to not have to end up with a guy at the end and toss out their independence, but that seemed a bit extra jump for Disney to make. If she had to end up with someone, I would have preferred Quasimodo. But I felt sorry for him from the beginning.

Yes, it'd be nice for Disney women to not have to end up with a guy at the end and toss out their independence, but that seemed a bit extra jump for Disney to make.

Pocahontas. Ignoring Pocahontas 2 (WHICH WAS A TRAVESTY, SCREW HISTORICAL ACCURACY), Pocahontas actually did have that ending. She decided that it was more important to stay with her tribe and be a sort of bridge between the two worlds than sail home with John Smith whom she loved and risked her life to protect. She chose the nobler course, the one that made her give up the man who I personally thought was just about perfect for her.

Seriously. That ending tugs at my heart strings every time. I am so damn proud of her and yet it just hurts to watch John Smith sailing away and Pocahontas being so brave about it and him being brave about it too and colors and the music and it's just like *heartbreak with a clear snap*.

Black haired, green eyed girls FTW, you know. ;)

Esmeralda has been one of my favorites since the second she came on screen in the movie and I still listen to God Help the Outcasts all the time, we even did it for choir in H.S. but I missed getting the solo.

Black hair and green eyes FTW, full stop. XD

And Esmeralda is just awesome. I still have some of the songs on my MP3 player from that movie -- I think that God Help the Outcasts was my instant favorite as well, but Hellfire and Out There are awesome in totally different ways. Hellfire is terrifying and Latin-dominated and Out There is so damn cheerful and optimistic and strong, it makes me grin every time.

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Esmeralda, my Favorite Character of Color: International Blog Against Racism Week.

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Pretty mature!

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