All articles tagged with #cultural representation
Originally Published 3 months ago — by billboard.com
The article argues that the controversy surrounding Bad Bunny's selection as Super Bowl halftime performer is primarily due to his use of Spanish, not politics, emphasizing that his language and cultural identity are being unfairly politicized while highlighting his status as a global music icon and cultural ambassador.
Originally Published 3 months ago — by Salon.com
Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny hosted SNL's season 51 premiere, turning backlash over his Spanish-language Super Bowl halftime show into a celebration of Latino culture and identity, using humor and bilingualism to make a powerful cultural statement.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Los Angeles Times
"Moana 2" features a standout song, "Can I Get a Chee Hoo?", which highlights the culturally significant Samoan expression "Chee Hoo". The song, performed by Dwayne Johnson as Maui, is a rallying cry that encourages Moana during a challenging moment. The film, created with input from the Oceanic Cultural Trust, aims to authentically represent Pacific Islander culture while continuing Moana's journey as a leader and wayfinder. The song is expected to resonate widely, similar to "Hakuna Matata" from "The Lion King."
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNN
The Miss Universe 2024 pageant kicked off with its national costume competition in Mexico City, where 126 contestants showcased elaborate outfits representing their countries. Highlights included Miss Nicaragua's cathedral-inspired costume, Miss Kenya's tribute to athletes, and Miss Chile's roulette wheel ensemble. The event featured a variety of themes, from national flora and fauna to cultural icons, and was part of the preliminary round leading up to the grand finale.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by GamesIndustry.biz
Genshin Impact's voice actors have criticized developer MiHoYo for the "whitewashing" of new character designs in the upcoming Natlan region, which is inspired by African, Latin American, and Australasian cultures. They argue that the designs do not accurately represent the diversity of these cultures and call for better research and respect for cultural elements. MiHoYo has not yet responded to the criticism.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Conversation
The 3.2-million-year-old Lucy fossil, a key specimen of Australopithecus afarensis, challenges our understanding of early human nudity and cultural perceptions of shame. Technological advancements suggest Lucy may have been less hairy than previously thought, aligning with theories that early humans lost most body hair millions of years ago. The depiction of Lucy in modern media often reflects contemporary cultural biases rather than scientific accuracy, revealing more about our own views on nudity, shame, and gender roles.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Vox.com
Beyoncé's upcoming album "Cowboy Carter" is drawing attention to the historical contributions of Black artists to country music and the challenges they faced in the predominantly white country music establishment. The album's lead single "Texas Hold 'Em" made history by debuting at the top of the country charts, marking Beyoncé as the first Black woman to achieve this feat. The album's release is shedding light on the whitewashing of the genre and the struggles faced by Black country musicians throughout history, while also sparking discussions about cultural representation and innovation in the genre.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Yahoo! Voices
The official poster for the Paris Olympics has sparked controversy in France, with conservatives and far-right figures criticizing the absence of the Christian cross and the French flag, attributing it to "wokism". The artist defended the design as a "light-hearted interpretation" and stated that there was no obligation to include the French flag. Meanwhile, security measures for the opening ceremony on the river Seine were discussed, with a total of 326,000 tickets set to be sold or given away.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Guardian
Disney's new TV series "Shōgun" has garnered praise in Japan for its respectful portrayal of Japanese culture and history, breaking away from Hollywood's traditional one-dimensional depictions. The series, based on James Clavell's novel, features a predominantly Japanese cast and meticulous attention to cultural details, aiming to avoid the "white saviour" trope and provide a more authentic representation of Japan. The show has been well-received for its lavish production values and performances, offering a departure from previous international screen portrayals of Japan.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Tomb Raider Chronicles
Crystal Dynamics, the developer of Tomb Raider, has denounced the offensive stereotypes present in the remastered versions of the first three games in the series, acknowledging their harmful impact and stating that they do not align with the company's values. Instead of removing the content, they have chosen to present it in its original form in the hopes of learning from it. The mainline Tomb Raider series is currently being developed by Crystal Dynamics, with a new title powered by Unreal Engine 5 in the works and full support from Amazon Games.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NBC News
The American Museum of Natural History in NYC is closing certain halls displaying Native American artifacts in response to updated federal regulations requiring institutions to obtain consent from Indigenous tribes. The closures reflect a growing urgency among museums to change their relationships to and representation of Indigenous cultures. President Biden's executive order supports tribal self-determination and calls for revisions to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, prompting museums to obtain consent before displaying human remains and cultural artifacts. The closures will affect school field trips, and other major institutions are also complying with the changes by removing or covering exhibits featuring Native American objects.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Business Insider
Ubisoft's new "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown" marks the first time in the series' history that characters will speak Farsi, aiming to authentically represent Persian culture and history. The game, developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, features heightened graphics and incorporates elements of Zoroastrianism. Fans have expressed appreciation for the inclusion of Farsi dialogue, with some stating that it makes them "finally feel seen" in the gaming community.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by GamesIndustry.biz
The upcoming Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown will be the first in the franchise to feature a full Persian localization, marking a significant milestone for the series and the Iranian gaming community. Voice actor Sepehr Torabi, who worked on the project, expressed excitement about the inclusion of Persian language and hopes for more games to follow suit. The localization team highlighted the game's efforts to authentically represent Persian culture and mythology, signaling a positive step forward in cultural representation within the gaming industry. Despite challenges and skepticism, the reception from the Iranian gaming community suggests a potential domino effect for more publishers to consider Persian localization in the future.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Niche Gamer
Fans of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 have noticed that the game mistakenly features a Cuban flag outside of protagonist Miles Morales's Puerto Rican family's apartment. This is not the first error made by the game developers, as they have also been criticized for their use of controversial gender-neutral Spanish. The game was released on October 20th for PlayStation 5.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
"Here Lies Love," a musical about the rise and fall of Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos, is drawing a growing stream of Filipino American theatergoers as it prepares for its Broadway opening. The show, which originally premiered in 2013, has added a fully Filipino cast and a group of Filipino producers, including Tony winner Lea Salonga. The immersive staging allows audience members to interact with the cast, creating a personal connection to the story. The production aims to accurately portray the history of the Marcos regime while also humanizing the characters. For Filipino Americans, the show offers a chance to learn about their homeland's history and feel represented on a New York stage.