Steven Universe is one of the current hits of the Cartoon Network schedule. Created by Rebecca Sugar, formerly of CN sibling hit Adventure Time, the show focuses on the titular lad as he grows up in the seaside American town of Beach City. Steven happens to be a hybrid, with his father, Greg Universe, being human while his mother, Rose Quartz, heralded from a race of alien shapeshifters who manifest human form to move around and interact. Although Steven looks and behaves like a human child, the unique nature of his being sees him raised by his mother’s three remaining followers dubbed the Crystal Gems; the stoic Garnet, the picky Pearl and the indulgent Amethyst.
Much of the show’s narrative focuses on exploring the history of gem culture and just why Rose and her followers were based on the planet. Indeed one of the earliest concepts we are introduced to is fusion, a process where at least two separate gems can combine to form a larger, stronger body. Although this is initially depicted as being a strategic combat asset in the same way as other fiction that has used similar concepts (Transformers, Dragon Ball, etc), it soon emerges that the ability goes far deeper and relates to the gem species in terms of trust, romance and gender fluidity (as of this writing, gems have been exclusively depicted as female outside of Steven himself). This is perhaps first dived into in the episode ‘Alone Together’, in which Steven and his human crush Connie unwittingly fuse together into a hybrid dubbed Stevonnie. Garnet in particular praises this new form, a fact explained later when we discover she herself is the first recorded fusion of two different types of gems and stays fused near consistently out of both gems being in perfect tandem/romantic love. The show itself has suggested strongly that gems are grown as segregated clone castes and the appearance of Garnet received prejudice and fear, with Rose leading a faction that supported the idea and saw its acceptance as the future.
Now given themes like this taken with the other successes of the show like great art design, unique and loveable characters and strong writing, it’s no surprise that many have taken it to heart and championed it as a show representing a more tolerant society. Even away from discussing issues such as homosexuality, the character of Rose is treated by those who knew her as a flawless angel yet is shown clearly to have a non-Hollywood standard overweight body and a mischievous side to her personality.
Regrettably though this same championing has given rise to behaviour that I feel misses one of the key themes of the show. As we go through the story it becomes clear that one of the key reasons Rose was willing to sacrifice her own existence to birth a child with Greg is she believed Steven would embody possibility and hope. This is certainly true, with many first season episodes seeing the trio of surviving gems having to learn that the violent response that worked for them in the previous war is not always the right path and that Steven’s outsider views on tolerance often lead things to a better end. Indeed by this point of the show his interpretation of the more wholesome things the gems have taught him has made allies out of once hated enemies.
One of the talking points online currently is the social justice movement, an extension of trends that are as old as we as a species. So called social justice warriors, more commonly referred to as SJWs in a dismissive manner, focus much of their time to fighting what they see as failings in society regarding issues such as gender, sexuality, race, etc. It’s really not too surprising that such people have developed a fondness for a show like Steven Universe but sadly many of them have not taken on the show’s mantra. When discussing the issue of social equality, that’s the key word- equality. A word which the Oxford dictionary defines as:
The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities:
The online social justice movement receives criticism from some given it seems less concerned with progressive equality and more with aggressive superiority. Not actually looking to place the downtrodden on equal standing with other elements but instead lash out and enforce their own perspective on others. Indeed not even other fans are safe as has been seen with the case of online lynch mobs hounding fans for drawing the characters differently from the show, an issue the staff of the show have stepped in on and criticised under the belief fan art invites free reign for fans to explore their passion.
Steven Universe doesn’t ignore the fact that sometimes there are sadly battles that must be fought and times to defend others, but the show is quite vocal on the idea that the best way to promote love and tolerance is to embody it. The Crystal Gems form a dysfunctional and relatable family as although each of its members carry emotional baggage they are united by their love for one another and the value they place in the simple joys in life. Even the human residents of Beach City speak of this as they are families and tradespeople who call the locale home and simply seek to live their lives. The show places just as much importance on the day to day troubles of the citizens as it does on Gem Homeworld taking renewed interest in Earth and Steven discovering what powers he inherited from his mother, challenging viewers to find the extraordinary in the ordinary and believe that is worth defending.
Now don’t get me wrong. There are a lot of problems with the world under humanity. Prejudice, poverty, corrupt institutions, etc and we as a species should be actively working to remove those. But don’t be so afraid of the darkness that you yourself blot out the spots of sun for yourself and others. Fight the battles that need to be fought but think carefully before a knee jerk response. Because with maybe a bit more love humanity might just pull off the greatest fusion of all.
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