meloetta

why do they always showcase ‘bullies’ in cartoons as being some punk with a mohawk like

when was the last time you saw a cool guy in a leather jacket not minding his own business it’s usually some basic asshole in a graphic tee that has something to say

awkward-teabag

Because the people at the top have a vested interest in making people assume guys like them can’t be bullies.

  • Bullies in cartoons: Punks
  • The most violent faction in a dystopia: Punks
  • Unfriendlies in video games: Punks

Punk fashion is coded to be bad and untrustworthy. Suits and clean-cut clothes are coded to be good and upstanding people.

People with tats, body mods, dyed hair, funky hair cuts are coded to be dirty and lazy. Close-cropped hair, little to no stubble, zero body mods or tats, and nothing colourful is coded as clean and professional.

The people at the top would rather you see the group they fear the most as the enemy so you never question them or threaten their power.

brichibi

Bonus round: if the character is a POC. Phew. I didn’t color my hair for yeeeeears because it was seen as bad/ghetto. My mama cut her hair and colored it and folks had a fit. She was STUNNED when we were at a con and was showered with compliments and not judgment.