Ladies. Gentlemen. Please, don’t do this. First off, I will be extremely disappointed if Asami ends up being an Equalist for multiple reasons listed below. BUT, I am extremely disappointed in the fandom at the moment when it comes to Asami and the theory of her as an equalist/spy. If Asami DOES turn out to be a villain, it would be setting up a horrible cliche that the beautiful woman is really a manipulating force that is on the bad side.
We have seen it in countless movies and shows and it would reinforce the stereotype that any women who are self-confident, sweet, and beautiful always have ulterior motives; that they will use others to get what they want. This is not a healthy perception of women in general, but it’s really not healthy for women who are trying to find a scapegoat when they are feeling insecure about themselves.
This also pertains to the TV Trope, “Real Women Never Wear Dresses” where femininity is considered a negative. That in order to be competent, one must have masculine personality traits/act like a man. Just because Asami wears make-up and has lived a comfortable life, just because she is sweet and likes her boyfriend and shows him affection whenever she can DOES NOT (I repeat, DOES NOT) make her a weak link or something that must be made suspicious. Heck, Bryke has indicated that she is a top-notch race car driver and has great self-defense skills. We have yet to see them but I’m really excited when they come into play.
What I’m trying to say, just because Asami acts and fits more of the woman role than Korra should not make her suspicious in any way. Should not make her a target for adolescent, teenage, young adult women to slut-shame and degrade her. To insist she is evil and that she should be thrown under her bus because of a relationship she instigated and has continued (because, believe or not, at the moment Mako likes her more than Korra romantically) is wrong and quite frankly rude. Asami didn’t know Korra had a crush on Mako and owes her nothing. Korra can seriously piss off with her “cootie” reactions whenever Mako and Asami show affection. Honestly, people should be allowed to show affection to each other in public and not get “grossed-out” responses from others unless they are being vulgar. Just because you don’t have what you want doesn’t mean you should stop others from pursuing their romantic feelings and relationships.
Asami is a confident, young upcoming businesswoman who should be a role model for girls. She doesn’t wait for the cute guy to ask her out, SHE ASKS HIM. She helps out said guy in a tight situation, and she’s caring and supportive, ALL while having a life of her own. If the writers just sort of…let her be an equalist, they will be tearing down all the good things they brought to the girls in the show; they will be telling little girls that they can’t wear make-up, can’t be sweet and proper because hey! people will suspect you of ulterior motives. And the boys who watch the show will start to assume that women are untrustworthy and manipulative. That unless the woman is a “bro” like Korra, she will always be set against the male persona.
This type of thinking is already set within my generation. I know tons of young men who think beautiful women who are attracted to them are only interested for the things the man can provide. When people break-up nowadays, what do men usually say? “She was a bitch/she was manipulative/she was clingy.” And women complain about the break-up? Most men and a good amount of women will say it is HER fault. I don’t want this type of thinking to be set up for the next generation. And believe or not, a TV show can and will influence a child into their adult years. I personally blame Dragonball Z for my anger issues.
So, in all honesty, no I don’t think Asami is an Equalist. But if she is, I will really doubt the overall morality of the show and the “ground-breaking” writing that its been praised on. Asami can be so much more than what the fandom wants her to be. A woman who isn’t ashamed of her femininity and can still kick some serious ass. I hope with Asami, what you see is what you get.
Thank you.
