Incorrect Atla - Tumblr Posts
Katara: Mama didn't raise no bitch. We keep going.
Zuko: No, no, Mama raised a bitch. We shouldn't.
Azula: Mama didn't raise anybody actually, Mama was absent.
zuko: a whiskey for me and uh...he’ll have a capri sun
aang: zuko, i’m 120 years old.
aang: i can order my own capri sun.
So i just finished watching the firebending masters and tho I've this series a lot of times ( enough that I could recall from memory the exact ep no and title despite not having seen it in the past two years) this time I saw from a more of a let's say storyteller's lense. Immediately you see that Zuko and aang have undergrown massive change ( this is pretty clear in prev eps as well esp the day of the black sun but it's even more clear here) the former particularly in his interactions and perceptions about himself and the Avatar.
The first clue was when aang is scared to try out firebending and instead of gently encouraging him ( like Katara would) or making him do it anyway( toph) Zuko agrees to aang's request for a demonstration fully trusting that aang would know how he learns best. It is also really interesting that aang is not particularly bad at firebending not is it particularly difficult for him to learn like earthbending was, it's just trauma that is preventing him from even trying it out and by the end of the episode that trauma is addressed and he is able to work past his fears (in a way it is similar to opening a hidden charkra)
Second is how aware Zuko is in his identity as the heir to the fire nation throne, more than ever. And it's not just a bragging or arrogant kind of thing, he is now fully aware of the duties and burdens he carries and has accepted them. When he shows respect to the sun warriors asking for forgiveness for what his nation has done to their culture and when he reflects upon his own firebending you can see how much his uncle has influenced him. Additionally he trusts aang pretty much throughout the episode going along when aang asks him to dance (twice) and telling him that he believes in aang ( 'you're a talented kid'). This is not blind trust, Zuko of all people is fully aware of what the Avatar and more importantly aang as a person is capable of doing.
Apart from this, this episode also has the famous jerk-bending scene, 'think about our place in the universe?' (which is definitely a line iroh has used he and Zuko got into trouble i just know it) Zuko being a goth theatre icon, and just reflections about cultural processes and heritage.
That's what the Anti-Fire Nation Propaganda says.
Historically, religious orders are never innocent of political intrigue. Separation of Church and State is never truly a thing, even in the modern day. Within these religious orders may also arise conflicts which could lead to violence over the interpretation of doctrine, or more mundane matters such as successions and political alignments.
Good examples of these are the Sohei Warrior Monks and the Shaolin Temple. Both organizations were greatly involved with politics of the day and took sides in wars when they felt the need. Selfish or otherwise.
In the Avatar world, the Airbending Temple is most likely involved in the politics of the Nations. They trained the Avatar;
They must be connected to the White Lotus since that group does assume the duties of finding and training the Avatar. The White Lotus are also warriors in their own right.
Furthermore, as I posited earlier, the Airbenders are a Monastery. So no sex. No sex means no airbending children or a nation from which to recruit airbenders to replenish the Nomads at the Monastery. That means it is likely that the Monastery recruits airbenders found in the other Kingdoms. Like Tenzin did in LOK.
Now in Aang's time, this was how Airbenders were like in the temple;
So much so that Aang ended up like this:
For a Hundred Years.
The Airbenders were not peaceful nomads. They were involved in politics, and warriors in their own right. The Fire Nation attack on them was not genocide. It was a strike on a dangerous enemy force.
The Last Airbender is Anti-Fire Nation Propaganda
The Fire Lord, Ozai, is dehumanized due to his portrayal as a one-dimensional, evil Overlord.
The Fire Nation citizens are portrayed as brainwashed, and any support for the beneficent elements of the Fire Nation is disregarded as brainwashing. This is another attempt by the Anti-Fire Nation Kingdoms at propagandizing for their war against the Fire Nation.
The Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, and Air Nomads have their positive elements exaggerated and their flaws are downplayed to enhance the image of the Fire Nation's 'evil'. Conveniently forgetting, of course, that:
The Water Tribe is sexist.
But the Fire Nation treats Women with respect, and allow Women into what would be considered male-dominated industries. Like Prison Guards.
The Earth Kingdom is terrorized by a secret police of Earth Benders.
Created by the Avatar herself.
Who has her own Kyoshi Warriors enforce an isolationist policy that kept Kyoshi Island from developing beyond a tribal society or community. A society which worships Kyoshi as a Goddess.
The Earth Kingdom's state of hierarchal dominance and stratified living persists decades into the future and is never fully eradicated despite the passing of however many Avatars there were since Kyoshi.
Furthermore, the Benders of both the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom either oppress the Non-Benders, or enforce policies that oppress the Non-Benders. Master Pakku and the Dai Li are two of the more prominent examples of such oppression.
This contrasts the Fire Nation which values both Benders and Non-Benders. Azula's most trusted associates are both Non-Benders.
While two of the most dangerous people/groups in the Fire Nation, Master Piandao;
And the Yuyan Archers are Non-Benders. Indicating that there is some form of Meritocracy that operates within the Fire Nation. A meritocracy that is almost non-existent or heavily biased in both the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom.
The Air Nomads have no Kingdom of their own. This means they do not have a population from which they can draw Airbenders to replenish their numbers. Since the Airbenders are also Monks as a whole, it is very likely that the Air Nomads take Airbenders from the other three factions to fill up the Air Temple.
Further considering the fact that the Air Temple Monks are willing to force Aang into his Avatar training against his wishes. So much so that Aang preferred to risk his life in a storm. It is highly likely that the other three nations have no say when the Air Nomads come looking for Air Benders amongst their citizens.
Now, am I saying that the Fire Nation has its pros and cons?
No.
I'm saying that I'd rather be born in the Fire Nation and that all the negative aspects we are shown in the show are due to propaganda published by those who fear the challenge of the Fire Nation, and its progressive ideas, to their individual power.
And Remember.
THESE guys are nomads:
Harmless, defenseless, and the only threat they faced were Badger Moles, not Fire Nation Soldiers:
The 'Air Nomads' are Airbending Monks who live in monasteries:
Whose abilities include this:
Also, this was what an Airbender Monk in Aang's time were capable of:
What happened to them? They died fighting like Soldiers, instead of being rounded up and executed in a genocide.
The Last Airbender is Anti-Fire Nation Propaganda
The Fire Lord, Ozai, is dehumanized due to his portrayal as a one-dimensional, evil Overlord.
The Fire Nation citizens are portrayed as brainwashed, and any support for the beneficent elements of the Fire Nation is disregarded as brainwashing. This is another attempt by the Anti-Fire Nation Kingdoms at propagandizing for their war against the Fire Nation.
The Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, and Air Nomads have their positive elements exaggerated and their flaws are downplayed to enhance the image of the Fire Nation's 'evil'. Conveniently forgetting, of course, that:
The Water Tribe is sexist.
But the Fire Nation treats Women with respect, and allow Women into what would be considered male-dominated industries. Like Prison Guards.
The Earth Kingdom is terrorized by a secret police of Earth Benders.
Created by the Avatar herself.
Who has her own Kyoshi Warriors enforce an isolationist policy that kept Kyoshi Island from developing beyond a tribal society or community. A society which worships Kyoshi as a Goddess.
The Earth Kingdom's state of hierarchal dominance and stratified living persists decades into the future and is never fully eradicated despite the passing of however many Avatars there were since Kyoshi.
Furthermore, the Benders of both the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom either oppress the Non-Benders, or enforce policies that oppress the Non-Benders. Master Pakku and the Dai Li are two of the more prominent examples of such oppression.
This contrasts the Fire Nation which values both Benders and Non-Benders. Azula's most trusted associates are both Non-Benders.
While two of the most dangerous people/groups in the Fire Nation, Master Piandao;
And the Yuyan Archers are Non-Benders. Indicating that there is some form of Meritocracy that operates within the Fire Nation. A meritocracy that is almost non-existent or heavily biased in both the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom.
The Air Nomads have no Kingdom of their own. This means they do not have a population from which they can draw Airbenders to replenish their numbers. Since the Airbenders are also Monks as a whole, it is very likely that the Air Nomads take Airbenders from the other three factions to fill up the Air Temple.
Further considering the fact that the Air Temple Monks are willing to force Aang into his Avatar training against his wishes. So much so that Aang preferred to risk his life in a storm. It is highly likely that the other three nations have no say when the Air Nomads come looking for Air Benders amongst their citizens.
Now, am I saying that the Fire Nation has its pros and cons?
No.
I'm saying that I'd rather be born in the Fire Nation and that all the negative aspects we are shown in the show are due to propaganda published by those who fear the challenge of the Fire Nation, and its progressive ideas, to their individual power.
And Remember.
Right. But consider this; Bending is only a part of a Nation's Culture, and as Zaheer shows, there are those who adhere to the Air Nomad culture and are not Air Benders.
Therefore, the Fire Nation only killed what was essentially the military wing of the Air Nomad Nation, as it was. Nowhere was it shown that the Fire Nation went on a systematic culling of all adherents to the Air Nomad Culture. Benders, and Non-Benders. That's not a genocide, that is a military action. Morally questionable, true. But calling that genocide would be the equivalent of calling the destruction of the Shaolin Temple a Genocide of Buddhists worldwide.
In any case, you consider the air temple destruction genocide, I am writing from the view that ATLA is Anti-Fire Nation propaganda so I would of course say the destruction of the Air Temple was exaggerated thanks to propaganda.
We're just going to have to agree to disagree.
The Last Airbender is Anti-Fire Nation Propaganda
The Fire Lord, Ozai, is dehumanized due to his portrayal as a one-dimensional, evil Overlord.
The Fire Nation citizens are portrayed as brainwashed, and any support for the beneficent elements of the Fire Nation is disregarded as brainwashing. This is another attempt by the Anti-Fire Nation Kingdoms at propagandizing for their war against the Fire Nation.
The Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, and Air Nomads have their positive elements exaggerated and their flaws are downplayed to enhance the image of the Fire Nation's 'evil'. Conveniently forgetting, of course, that:
The Water Tribe is sexist.
But the Fire Nation treats Women with respect, and allow Women into what would be considered male-dominated industries. Like Prison Guards.
The Earth Kingdom is terrorized by a secret police of Earth Benders.
Created by the Avatar herself.
Who has her own Kyoshi Warriors enforce an isolationist policy that kept Kyoshi Island from developing beyond a tribal society or community. A society which worships Kyoshi as a Goddess.
The Earth Kingdom's state of hierarchal dominance and stratified living persists decades into the future and is never fully eradicated despite the passing of however many Avatars there were since Kyoshi.
Furthermore, the Benders of both the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom either oppress the Non-Benders, or enforce policies that oppress the Non-Benders. Master Pakku and the Dai Li are two of the more prominent examples of such oppression.
This contrasts the Fire Nation which values both Benders and Non-Benders. Azula's most trusted associates are both Non-Benders.
While two of the most dangerous people/groups in the Fire Nation, Master Piandao;
And the Yuyan Archers are Non-Benders. Indicating that there is some form of Meritocracy that operates within the Fire Nation. A meritocracy that is almost non-existent or heavily biased in both the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom.
The Air Nomads have no Kingdom of their own. This means they do not have a population from which they can draw Airbenders to replenish their numbers. Since the Airbenders are also Monks as a whole, it is very likely that the Air Nomads take Airbenders from the other three factions to fill up the Air Temple.
Further considering the fact that the Air Temple Monks are willing to force Aang into his Avatar training against his wishes. So much so that Aang preferred to risk his life in a storm. It is highly likely that the other three nations have no say when the Air Nomads come looking for Air Benders amongst their citizens.
Now, am I saying that the Fire Nation has its pros and cons?
No.
I'm saying that I'd rather be born in the Fire Nation and that all the negative aspects we are shown in the show are due to propaganda published by those who fear the challenge of the Fire Nation, and its progressive ideas, to their individual power.
And Remember.