In late 2013, a show called "Steven Universe," created by Rebecca Sugar, first aired on Cartoon Network. In 2013, my junior year of high school, the last thing I was thinking about was Cartoon Network, a channel I hadn't watched since I was much younger, and with limited time on my hands, it certainly wasn't a channel on my radar. I didn't really get into the show until my senior year when I had more time and an excess of boredom, and I ended up enjoying it. I watched it on and off and it wasn't until my first semester of college when I made friends who also liked it, that I finally caught up.
The show centers around 14-year-old Steven living in Beach City with his dad and three "Crystal Gems": Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. They all have their respective gems on their bodies and have different powers ranging from future vision to shape shifting. The reason Steven lives with them is that his dad married Rose Quartz, a Crystal Gem who died and whose gem was reborn in the form of Steven.
If that doesn't make sense or sound appealing, what really makes the show special is its representation in terms of sexual orientation, race, and body image. Below are some examples:
1. Sexual Orientation
We are first introduced to these lovable gems in "Jail Break," the last episode of the first season. The gems themselves are genderless, but do use gender pronouns, an interesting and very real concept. Ruby and Sapphire, pictured above, both use she/her pronouns and are very much in love; so in love, in fact, they are almost always fused. A fusion is when two (or more) gems perform an intricate dance and become one being, but it can only happen with a deep connection.
2. Race and Body Image
Whether it be in cartoons or in shows with live actors, race and body image representation are hard to find. Although there are actors and actresses of color, they often have small roles, or have a certain figure if they do have a main role. Their hair is often straightened and their figure often thin. While nothing is wrong with the way they look, there are many types of people that are never shown. Connie Maheswaran is not only Steven's best friend, but she is smart, unafraid and can wield a sword like nobody's business. The Kofi family also own a popular pizza place on Beach City. Jenny, the twin on the left, listens to heavy metal (traditionally White), and Kiki, the twin on the right, sports a gorgeous Afro (a real one) and loves to run. While we don't see them as often as Connie, we are learning more about them slowly, and they matter. They are full-figured, and an overall beautiful family.
3. Relationships
Pictured above is Jasper and Lapis. Jasper forced a fusion with Lapis for years, leading to an extremely toxic relationship in which Lapis tried her hardest to escape. After having been free for quite some time, she admits that even though she hated being fused to Jasper, she missed her, something extremely representative of abusive and toxic relationships.
4. Fitting In
Peridot is from the Homeworld, where gems originate. Upon landing on Earth, watching her learn traditions and customs, as well as how to act, was representative of what it's like for anyone in a new situation. Whether it be because of immigration or simply going to college, there are new things to get used to, and Peridot is one of the best examples of how confusing everything can be, as well as how isolating it can be if not surrounded by people who care.
5. Not Letting Others Get Under Our Skin
6. Human Growth
Rose Quartz is Steven's mother, and although we only see her in flashbacks, she learned a lot about human culture--not only through her own observations, but through Greg, a human. One of the most powerful and accurate things she's said is about human growth: "But you are supposed to change! You're never the same, even moment to moment you're allowed and expected to invent who you are. What an incredible power, the ability to grow up." She beautifully summed up the importance of growing and changing, and how truly amazing it is that we can be whoever we want to be.
