True Bluey
Bluey is an ABC animated TV series for preschool children, chronicling the adventures of a Blue Heeler puppy with her family and friends. It's endearing and wholesome, or so I'm led to believe; I've never watched it myself. Nevertheless, writing for ABC Everyday, Beverley Wang wonders whether the show could be more representative.
We live in a world where the majority of main characters on children's television are white; where there are more animals than people of colour protagonists populating the pages of children's books. Where are the disabled, queer, poor, gender diverse, dogs of colour and single-parent dog families in Bluey's Brisbane? If they're in the background, let them come forward.
Beverley Wang, I've learnt a lot from Bluey, but can the show be more representative?, ABC Everyday
What the actual fuck? It's a cartoon. About dogs. For preschoolers. Get a grip, FFS! (mad)
As to dogs of colour
? What the hell is this whackjob talking about? They're all coloured! Bluey is blue, not white. None of her family are white. Furthermore, the cast of characters is pretty diverse, for dogs anyway. Like them, Wang must be barking. Only, in her case, barking mad.
Unless, of course, by representation and diversity
Wang is referring to the problem of voice actors taking work from the minorities that they portray. I have no idea if dogs are considered to be a minority community in Australia, but using professional voice pooches to play the characters faithfully will present a challenge to the young audience's comprehension. After all, it's not as if they could read the subtitles.
Alternatively, an Asian character could be added to the cast. A Pekinese or Shih Tzu would introduce new and exciting communicable diseases, forcing Bluey and friends to socially distance and wear Chongmasks—both of which will hinder their arse-sniffing—as well as spending time in quarantine. The creators might even introduce regional ethnic cuisine, by having the new character eating dog meat. It would certainly be educational, although the implications of cannibalism might be too much for some of the audience. And the ensuing important intersectional discussions
might be too much for some parents.
Still, it's reassuring to know that Wang has so little of concern in her life that this is all she has to complain about. But is this pettiness really the level to which we've sunk as a society? (SMH)