Jake, having been ostracized by his former hosts, once again demonstrates his unbridled dominance as he reintroduces himself to the clan after having tamed a revered and legendary "flying beast" the likes of which only a few honored Na'vi warriors in the history of the people have ever domesticated.
Such an occurrence further reinforces the revealed prophecy expressing, the divinely inspired role of this paradoxical figure - who worked to considerably undermine the interests of Pandora's original people - would play as the Na'vi's chosen deliverer.
As the ensuing battle between the Corporations' military and the Na'vi unfolds, Jake, recognized as sacred leader and commander of "The People," would unite all indigenous clans Africans in facing this formidable opponent.
Additionally, though not having engaged the Na'vi people for more than a few months, Jake demonstrates an exceptional ability - reserved only for an arch witchdoctor - to access the ultimate source of "The People's" power in summoning Eywa to aid the group in their campaign.
As would be expected, the indigenous people of Pandora aided by Eywa would vanquish their opponents, peace would be restored and Jake would find himself as the undisputed leader of the Na'vi and God figure to all its clans.
The overwhelming messages communicated in the movie Avatar are disturbing on a variety of levels. The overarching theme promoted in the film suggests the Na'vi, representing Africans, Native Americans, South Americans etc... possess not the spiritual, physical or intellectual capacity to compete with their Caucasian counterparts and thus have not the ability to adequately govern themselves, much less in times of adversity ergo the need for a White savior.
Such an interpretation may germinate as the main character Jake would singularly outperform members of the Na'vi - to include their most formidable warrior - in every imaginable fashion, to the extent he would ultimately rise to the level of King and quasi God figure in securing the survival of the very individuals who civilized him.
Furthermore, not only is the proposition regarding the main character as liberator of those 'Africans' who brought him further into the fold of humanity troubling, but even more still unsettling and potentially problematic is the premise that such an arrangement was divinely inspired.
This circumstance prevailed as the Na'vi's deity Eywa recognized Jake as a more spiritually pure and courageous being in relation to his indigenous -Â mentors, again in the face of his less than honorable intentions in regard to the very people the deity governs. Lastly, Jake's rather exclusive channel to this group's celestial ruler, exercised as he prepared for battle, further establishes the proposed aforementioned spiritual pact.
Regrettably, movie goers often fail to recognize the incessant inane and divisive ideas promoted by such productions as Avatar and subsequently are subliminally compelled to accept false notions in regard to either the superiority or inferiority of various groups and their subsequent essential value. Such has been the case far more often than the public is perhaps aware.
The theme of Caucasian superiority has played itself out over an extended period of time throughout the history of the movie and television Industry. A considerable number of big and small screen productions - including but not limited to - Tarzan, The Lone Ranger and The Last Samurai serve as manifestations of this ethic.
If society is to emancipate itself from such orchestrated tapestries of confusion, those among the masses able to discern the workings of the purveyors of this brand of cerebral control must remain vigilant in sounding "the alarm," so as to impel media forces to more regularly reflect truth. If such a phenomenon fails to emerge, those transmissions designed to maintain and reinforce existing inequitable social arrangements and attending precepts will continue to flourish. Such is the net effect of the movie industries' latest instrument- Avatar.
Frederick Alexander Meade is a journalist providing analysis on social and political matters. His works appear in news magazines and publications around the country. The author may be reached at meade1900@yahoo.com
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
