Last weekend, kids’ Hub Network introduced a new superhero named SheZow to the US market. Before I’d even heard of the show SheZow, I was informed of the controversy regarding this gender-swapping superhero, so of course, I had to check it out for myself. For those who aren’t familiar with SheZow:
“Twelve-year-old Guy is an extreme dude who inherits the power ring of his deceased aunt – the amazing superhero SheZow! The ring gives him villain-battling super powers, but was meant to be worn by a girl and the result is absolutely she-larious!”
The first thing you have to realize (in case you missed it, like I did) is that SheZow is an ANIMATED series. Guy is a drawing of a boy who turns into SheZow, a drawing of a girl… And a stereotypical girl at that! The problems that people should be having with this show is the aggressively stereotypical portrayals of gender roles. When asked by his sister Kelly to help unpack, Guy retorts, “Can’t you do the girly unpacking?”… but I digress.
Cross-dressing, specifically from male to female, as a comedic tool has been used in movies and television for decades – SheZow is no different than Some Like It Hot, Bossom Buddies, Mrs. Doubtfire, or even 1994’s The Little Rascals – and the arguments that this show is about a transgendered child are she-diculous: Guy is NOT happy about becoming a girl (the foundation of transgenderism is wanting to be of another gender). After being unintentionally turned into the pink wearing superhero, Guy shouts, “I am not SheZow, I’m a Dude.” before offering Kelly the ring, only to discover that he’s stuck as SheZow.
Right-wing conservative group, One Million Moms called for the cancellation of the cartoon, stating on their site:
There is no doubt this superhero character will confuse kids. Children desire to be just like superheroes and will mimic a superhero’s every action, even to the point of dressing up in costumes to resemble the characters as much as possible. It won’t be long before little boys are saying, “I want to be a girl, so I can help people and save the world!”
My main question for One Million Moms is: since when is it negative to have boys believe that GIRLS can help people and save the world? As Moms, you believe that YOU are a woman who is helping people and saving the world! Essentially, are you arguing that you do not want your sons to look up to you?
Aside from the ridiculous amounts of She-puns (seriously, it’s a lot) and the perpetuation of stereotypical gender roles, SheZow is as offensive as Veggie Tales. Make up your own mind! Watch new episodes of SheZow on The Hub Network, Saturdays at 9:30