I mean I’ll give JR credit for having that scene where Sam finds the body of a “swarthy easterner” and emphasizes with him, wondering if he was just another common farm boy swept up in conflict against his will.
But that seemed to be the extent of Tolkien’s progressivism.
Yeah, Haradrim were the kinda Indian coded guys with the Mumakiil and the Easterlings of Rhun were the notpersians with the slick crimson and gold armor.
At least those are actual races, unlike white, black, [insert continent]-n, or whatever unscientific tool the Americans use to control their population.
I have encountered people who have told me, earnestly, that "funny-looking humanoids" is the only proper way to do fantasy races and anything else is wrong.
Tolkein was really creative with his fictional races. We had
Hey now, don't forget the "Swarthy Men of the East"
For real don't forget, Rhun and Harad were IMO the most interesting cultures he created for how little we got of them.
Edit: On further reflection having the bad humans all be brown easterners is indeed a little sus.
I mean I’ll give JR credit for having that scene where Sam finds the body of a “swarthy easterner” and emphasizes with him, wondering if he was just another common farm boy swept up in conflict against his will.
But that seemed to be the extent of Tolkien’s progressivism.
I knew I forgot the other type of humans, those were the guys on the big elephants right?
Yeah, Haradrim were the kinda Indian coded guys with the Mumakiil and the Easterlings of Rhun were the notpersians with the slick crimson and gold armor.
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At least those are actual races, unlike white, black, [insert continent]-n, or whatever unscientific tool the Americans use to control their population.
I have encountered people who have told me, earnestly, that "funny-looking humanoids" is the only proper way to do fantasy races and anything else is wrong.
Those people are morons
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