The Boy in the Iceberg 1:11

Sacred Reading of Every Episode - Scene by Scene

I have spent a lot of time unpacking Sokka’s language in this series - mostly because most of the scenes thus far have centered on Sokka and Katara. We have been able to point to the systems and circumstances that have shaped Katara and Sokka to this point - we have discussed the concepts of core assumptions and how Sokka’s have been molded in response to trauma. Even so, I am drawn to Sokka’s initial line in this segment.

Sokka: Giant light beams, flying bison, airbenders...I think I got midnight sun madness. I'm going home to where stuff makes sense.

Aang: Well, if you guys are stuck, Appa and I can give you a lift.

Katara: We'd love a ride! Thanks!

Sokka: Oh no! I'm not getting on that fluffy snot monster!

Katara: Are you hoping some other kind of monster will come along and give you a ride home? You know, before you freeze to death?

Aang: Okay, first time flyers, hold on tight! Appa, yip-yip!

We have touched on his ableist language before briefly, however, I don’t think we have explicitly discussed how ableism so often runs unchecked and how harmful it can be. I believe that ableism is certainly more than language, yet - I believe language shapes us. The Harvard Business Review published an article on ableist language and I want to quote it here:

“Ableism is bigger than language. Language is a tool we use to make sense of our feelings and environment. When we verbally describe the things, experiences, and people around us we are also assigning value to them and that value impacts how we interact with each other.”

The author continues to outline how ableist language influences us in three ways:

1. It reveals our unconscious bias

2. It makes us internalize harmful biases about disability

3. It further stigmatizes already marginalized people

After elucidating the ways ableist language influences and shapes us, the author then provides tips for combating the issue.

1. Acknowledge disability around you

   1. “Don’t try to fix disability; instead fix the oppression”

2. Learn, Learn, Learn

   1. “Educate yourself, and don’t rely on others to teach you”

3. Don’t make assumptions about someone’s identity

   1. “When you’re unsure of someone’s identity, just ask”

4. When you make a mistake, genuinely apologize

   1. “This isn’t about your opinions; it’s about how the other person feels”

I think it is worth noting that this list is NOT comprehensive. It is simply an opportunity to begin the conversation around how we think about and grapple with ableism in our culture.

Now, if we relate this content to the scene before us - it shines a light on Sokka’s initial comment: “Giant light beams, flying bison, airbenders...I think I got midnight sun madness. I'm going home to where stuff makes sense.” I think we need to consider the implications underneath his words to unpack this. Sokka’s frame of reference is the Southern Water Tribe and all that his experience entails within his exposure there. These events that have occurred do not align with his prior experience - light beams are mysterious, flying bison have theoretically gone extinct (not even considering if he has heard of them before in stories or not), airbenders experienced mass genocide and it has been thought none survived to this point…All that to say, when Sokka was confronted with evidence contrary to his world view he claimed to have Midnight Sun Madness.

This is particularly dangerous especially when this is done by those in positions of power and privilege because it does a few things:

1. When someone calls something outside of their personal world view crazy, stupid, lame, dumb, etc. Or, even more explicitly, claims to have a specific illness like Midnight Sun Madness…it perpetuates our biases but also further marginalizes folks with disabilities.

2. When Sokka claims to have Midnight Sun Madness, he at once ostracizes Aang creating further distance between the two AND perpetuates stigma against those who may actually have the illness - attributing symptoms to it that may not even exist. It also suggests that anyone with the illness is incapable of rational thought at all.

3. When people in power utilize this language, it also normalizes continued use and creates a culture of micro-aggressions that go largely unchecked.

4. The author of the article makes a particularly helpful point here utilizing Trump as an example and I will quote it again:

   1. “Fernandez explained, “When you say Trump is such a ‘psycho’ or ‘weirdo’ for his stance on immigration, you end up focusing on those specific words, without addressing the real issue: what it is that you don’t like about the immigration policy.””

      1. Essentially, it attackes the physical/mental ability in place of actually expressing an opinion or idea.

My issue is that this language runs throughout the series and is largely unaddressed. I want to continue to be cognizant of this so that we can bring our attention to it and be critical of it. If we consume media - even our beloved Avatar the Last Airbender - without critical awareness, we will continue to miss the mark when it comes to improving our language.

I also want to be clear that I am not an expert on disability, but I am hoping to continue to learn and grow. If you have noticed something that I have missed - or if you notice my language could improve, please help me learn and grow.

Thanks for joining me on this journey through Avatar.

Until Next Time,

Be Well and Do Good