midknighthowl:

So I was hesitant a few days back as to whether or not I wanted to watch this show, because the first thing I found out about it was that the only black actress in the English dub was playing a gorilla, and I was seriously put off by that. A few days later I decided to bite the bullet and watch it, and not only was this one of the best shows I’ve ever seen, Gori the Gorilla…

…this perfectly adorable woman here turned out to my favorite character hands down.

*Spoilers for what happens in the show ahead*

So when I first saw this character in the show, I was prepared to find some super offensive and racist shit, but that thought process disappears immediately as her and Washimi were introduced. They are presented as the tip top of tiers, the ideal type of women that Retsuko and her friends could only dream of being.

A couple of episodes we look more into who these two women are when Retsuko finds out that she’s attending the same yoga class as they are. She naturally starts to freak out, and hopes they don’t recognize her right away, but they do. As soon as she turns around Gori is already in hot pursuit to say hi to her.

From here we find out that Gori is not only eager to be Retsuko’s friend, but is just as anxious about messing things up. She ends up having to tag out and letting Washimi handle the introduction. The air of intimidation and dominance they had in the workplace was gone, and now we see them as relatable “human beings”. From there on out Gori and Washimi became Retsuko’s yoga friends, helping her with her work problems,and even with her insecurities as a person.

Now what does any of this have to do with Gori being a Black woman?

There is a scene in the show where Retsuko starts talking smack about their muscular yoga instructor, saying that she doesn’t want to end up like some…, and Gori interrupts her to defend the instructor “Like what? Some muscle bound gorilla?” And proceeds to tell Retsuko why he’s actually a great guy. Now this wasn’t what Retsuko was thinking outright, but it was definitely where she was getting at even if she didn’t know it herself. I DARE YOU TO TELL ME THAT’S NOT BLACK! Any Black person can relate to that scene. Being constantly misjudged by our appearance. Seen as dumb brutes and savages. You can tell after that scene alone that this is a character that’s grown up having to overcome similar issues as any Black woman. Constantly stereotyped and underestimated, and came out stronger from it.

It’s gotten to  the point where when I see fanart of  her as light skinned I’m slightly offended, because when I think of Gori, I think of all of the strong Black women in my life. My mom, my aunts, my sisters, my cousins, my coworkers. Not because of what she looks like, but because of what she is. Fierce, smart, sweet, nurturing, confident, and with all of her shit together. Something that’s constantly overlooked when people see them at first because of their skin color.

Gori really is the best, you guys. I’m not saying you’re not allowed to headcanon her as White, Japanese,or whatever race. Just don’t jump down people’s throats for writing, drawing, or prtraying her as Black.