Misfits, Minorities, Milestones, and the Era of Eccentrics

2000-present

misfit- a person whose behavior or attitude sets them apart from others in a conspicuous way

minority- a group of people commonly discriminated against in a community, society, or nation, differing from others in race, religion, language, or political persuasion

milestone- an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development

eccentric- a person of unconventional and slightly strange views or behavior

Historical Context

❏ social media and the internet

❏ 9/11

❏ first black president

❏ tensions in middle east rise

❏ lgbt+ rights movement makes leaps and bounds

❏ ferguson and the rise of awareness in police brutality

Misfit and/or Eccentric Male Characters

❏ 11th Doctor- Doctor Who

❏ Sheldon- Big Bang Theory

❏ Abed- Community

❏ Every Character Michael Cera Has Ever Played

❏ Craig- It’s Kind of a Funny Story

❏ Charlie- Perks of Being a Wallflower

Misfit and/or Eccentric Female Characters

❏ Leslie Knope- Parks and Rec

❏ Cassie and Effy- Skins

❏ Alaska- Looking for Alaska

❏ Jess- New Girl

❏ Mel- Flight of the Conchords

❏ Ramona Flowers- Scott Pilgrim vs the World

The Sexist Trope of the Misfit Savior Girl ❏ beautiful❏ wild and childlike❏ trope used only to further male characters (break him out

of depression, cynicism, to encourage him to “live life”)❏ characterized by hair-dye and quirky antics (collecting

taxidermied animals, only wearing blue sweaters, etc…)❏ white white white

“I’m not here to save you, I’m the main character of my own life” - Daydream Nation

Minorities and Milestones

Laverne Cox is the first trans person on the cover of Time as well as first trans person nominated for an emmy, and oodles more

“Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) features an unsexualized, non victimized, disabled, female protagonist that saves literally everyone and is amazing and everyone should see this movie please

Minorities and Milestones cont...Krem is introduced as a ftm (female to male) trans character in the popular videogame series, Dragon Age

Gerard Way and Jake Wyatt debut Peni Parker, Spider-Man reimagined as a japanese teen girl