Steven Universe is an amazing show created by Rebecca Sugar that simply disrupts the traditional means of storytelling with its vast atmosphere and fusion of characters and themes. The show really explores stuff like identity, love, and belonging in such really great ways, represented so well through the characters Steven Universe and Garnet. Both characters were tools to talk about the discourses of race, gender, and sexuality; Steven Universe was a really interesting example of how we do this today.
So, Steven Universe is the main character, this uniqur combination of human and Gem heritage. He just outright shatters those stereotypes of what guys should be like, being tender and caring as opposed to whatever stereotypes people call "feminine." This is a pretty subversive feeling, really reminiscent of dismantling gender stereotypes and forcing everyone to question what makes someone strong. Steven's emotional smarts play an enormous part in the storyline, offering new views on stereotypical male roles in media.
Garnet, being the fusion of Ruby and Sapphire, represents completely love and being oneself. She really exists outside the realm of stereotypes about relationships and womanliness through her strong, complex character. Also, this whole fusion business presents her as a beauty in the symbolism of love between two females, which is a cool, positive way to portray LGBTQ+ relations in kids' media. Rather, it's about normalizing queer love, messing with traditional notions of sexuality, and giving younger viewers a view of this stuff simply existing, and also giving them some knowledge that LGTBQ+ relationships aren’t something to look down on. For a more detailed explanation (and some evidence) of one of the points listed check out... https://www.teenink.com/opinion/social_issues_civics/article/964141/Garnet-A-Great-Representation-of-a-Gay-Relationship/ and https://www.oxfordstudent.com/2019/01/11/steven-universe-a-model-of-queer-representation/ (the second source isnt so specific on the character, however it does have a section on Garnet.)
Community, inclusivity and the representation of race and ethnicity is another very important part of the Steven Universe storyline.The diversity in casting brings to light a number of backgrounds and experiences through which we can root around for some historical and social contexts shaping these identities. Characters like Garnet and Pearl really push the story along for the community, bringing focus to themes of inclusivity and acceptance. This show does not aim at making characters exotic but celebrates their differences while pushing across this great message of unity. This is sort of a reversal of what usually happens-they make the marginalized identity an outsider-and instead puts them into the main storyline.
In conclusion, Steven Universe really revolutionizes the way representation is done in today's media. Characters like Steven and Garnet give us deep looks at gender, race, and sexuality all mixed into one in fresh perspectives. The show completely shifts away from the usual cultural norms and promotes inclusivity, reminding us of the importance of real representation. For that reason, it's showing a path that future animated series should go by with more diversity and empathy.
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