BLOG POST #1: Ugly Truth - Racism behind M.M.P.R

"It's Morphin' time", every 90's kids favorite line from our all time favorite show, The power rangers. Being a 90's kid, i was privileged enough to watch this series growing up. A bunch of teenagers handpicked by a giant head in a tube was exiting enough for a 5 year old kid to watch. And not to mention the amazing colored costumes they use to fight evil and restore balance against the evil aliens. Kimberly Hart, Zack Taylor, Jason Lee Scott, Trini Kwan, and Billy Cranston were the first ever Power Rangers along with thier trusty robot Alpha 5 and the great sage Zordon. Kimberly as Pink Ranger, Zach as Black Ranger, Jason as The Red Ranger, Trini as Yellow Ranger, Billy as Blue Ranger, and Tommy Oliver as Green Ranger (Later became The White Ranger). Being gifted with amazing powers and saving earth amuses people. 

As I deeply research about this particular topic, the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers fell into the stereotypical realm of racism and promotes violence. First lets know what racism is. 


According to the article "What Is Racism?" by  Nadra Kareem Nittle. The word "racism" is thrown a lot now a days, and now such a popular word that it has created a whole new category of  racism such as "reverse racism", "horizontal racism", and "internalized racism". . Racism has 2 definitions. First definition, racism is, When a particualar race thinks that they are better than the rest. second definition, racism is, the discrimination against one race to another. Like most of the TV shows in the society, power rangers did fall into the stereotypical realm of racism. lets point out the offences. 

Billy, Trini, Tommy, Jason, Kimberly, and Zac

Billy the blue ranger was a nerd gay-ish Native American. Trini the yellow ranger used to have trouble with her sabertooth vehicle (Asian and female: that's two bad-driver stereotypes!). Tommy the green ranger that later became the white power ranger was the strongest, and he looked like a KKK member in ninja mode. Jason The red ranger was a buff Native American. Kimberly the pink ranger was a ditsy white girl. Zack the black ranger was, well, black. and whenever the black ranger fights, the song changes from action to a smooth beat that he dances to before fighting evil. .Their robot Alpha 5, was short, screamed "Ay yi yi!" and his head looked like a sombrero (not to mention he killed a bad guy with flowers once.)

Power Rangers is a children, and because of their innocence they are blinded with what they see in the movies and shows. And according to Nadra Kareem Nittle, even the younger generation or minorities are actually racist themselves.

Nadra Kareem Nittle says, "Even when minorities are actually prejudiced against whites, they lack the institutional power to adversely affect whites’ lives." 

It is sad to think that even the minorities can be racist. Because if this continues to happen, Crime rate will be higher in the near future. When the so called "Minorities" becomes older, they can be sued or can be involved in a fight or worse, can create war. 

With this act a lot of variations of racism emerged such as "reverse racism". Reverse racism is said to be a discrimination act that focuses on the "whites" or the native Americans. However, the Anti-racism activist in the U.S have stated that the so called revers racism is impossible. As the research goes further I have came across an article, "Why Reverse Racism Isn't Real?" by Sara Luckey. It stated there the reasons why reverse racism is not real. Because of the simple fact that U.S has a culture of having "whiteness" as a norm.

Sara Luckey says, "Racism exists when prejudice and power combine to form social constructs, legislation and widespread media bias that contribute to the oppression of the rights and liberties of a group of people."

For me, what Sara Lucky said is true, because, as i have stated earlier. Racism is an act of discrimination form one race to another. Yes, some "blacks" are making fun of the "white" but it can never set for reverse racism. Why? because being "white" is said to be, in the U.S is the norm. Thus, creates a good reason, why Reverse Racism is not real.