Handling Abusive Relationships in Steven Universe

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

“Steven Universe” is an animated series that shatters other television shows. It covers relationships, coping, homosexuality, and now how to handle an abusive relationship.

In the recent episode, “Alone at Sea” Lapis Lazuli is trying to come to terms with herself when she fused with Jasper. Fusion is a process where two gems come together to form one person. Fusion is often viewed as a relationship especially by Garnet who is always in her fusion state – when separated, Garnet becomes two individuals: Ruby and Sapphire.

Lapis discussed her feelings with Steven and is then confronted by Jasper. Both characters share signs of abuse throughout the episode that can be applied to abuse victims in real life.

Lapis believes she doesn’t deserve something as nice as a surprise boat trip, keeps her abuse a secret (until venting about it to Steven), blames everything on herself, doesn’t think she can handle being in charge of anything, believes she is a terrible person (especially for her time as Malachite), and has incredibly low self-esteem which in turn has hindered her growth and actions.

Jasper on the other hand wants to return to that toxic relationship. Jasper wants to exploit the fusion for its power and will do anything to be Malachite again. She begs despite knowing how damaging her time as Malachite was (which could allude to Stockholm syndrome), she stalks Lapis, she feeds Lapis’ self-degradation by calling her a brute, and is willing to annihilate those who oppose the Malachite fusion.

Yet despite Jasper’s pleas, Lapis stands up to her abusive partner. We see Lapis struggle to make the choice to fuse or not and ultimately, she declines. She doesn’t want to feel the same way she did when she was Malachite, she doesn’t want to be with Jasper. She makes herself clear and firm in her decision and even defends Steven when Jasper attempts to de-gem him for convincing Lapis not to fuse.

Lapis is an example of an abuse victim who handles the situation properly with clarity and resistance. Lapis is a beacon for victims to reflect upon: they should tell people about their abuse, they should not let their abuser do as they please, they should not give into their abuser, and they should stand up to them. Albeit, these are complicated concepts for victims to achieve let alone perform, but they must be done in order to progress their growth. Lapis has stood up to Jasper and with it, she is beginning to grow. So many can do the same thing when they take their first steps in confronting their abuser just as Lapis did.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to comment, share, critique, and subscribe.

So tell me, what are your thoughts on “Steven Universe”?

Homosexuality for the Crystal Gems

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

“Steven Universe” is popular show on Cartoon Network following the adventures of a boy (Steven Universe) and his friends, the Crystal Gems – beings infused with gemstones. The show is completely and utterly Earth shattering in its unique art style, interesting plot, and portrayals of relationships, especially those of the homosexual variety.

Homosexuality is a topic that’s accepted to a certain degree in our society. Homosexuals have been finally allowed to legally marry in America and it’s considered a gigantic triumph in the gay community. However, there are still people who are homophobes and enforce their opinions in any way possible. Such as Cartoon Network UK censoring “Steven Universe” to make it less homosexual.

The censored scene in particular is a fusion dance where Pearl and Rose Quartz (both females) meld together to become Rainbow Quartz. A fusion dance is an intimate, unique dance that two (or more) gems can partake in to become a stronger being. This dance was featured in the episode, “We Need to Talk” and has been hailed by fans everywhere as an act of unrequited love between the characters. Pearl and Rose Quartz, however, are canonically labeled as lesbians by the fanbase, and are not officially a lesbian pair.

Cartoon Network UK has altered this scene so that one of the characters has a more masculine face to stray from the homosexual nature of this scene. Fans everywhere have signed a petition to keep the scene as it originally was and without the homophobic alteration. Cartoon Network UK has taken note of this petition and stands by their alteration.

While I’m not a homosexual or bisexual myself, I still believe that regardless of ethnicity, color, and sexual orientation people should have the right to be wed. Furthermore, all people of colors, orientations, and ethnicities should be portrayed on television in their proper roles. For a show like “Steven Universe” to exist and portray loving homosexual couples (like Ruby and Sapphire and also the fan labelled lesbians/bisexuals Pearl and Rose Quartz), is something tremendous.

The world isn’t all one shade, one ethnicity, and one orientation. The world is thousands of different shades, tons of ethnicities, and millions of orientations. So why shouldn’t each one be equally represented? Ruby and Sapphire are “Steven Universe”’s official lesbian pairing and thankfully, they haven’t been censored. This show has been accepted by tons of people as a sort of solace for their orientation and a universal symbol of peace among people and acceptance. For it to be censored over a dance of unrequited love is something unnecessary and ridiculous.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to subscribe, share, comment, and critique.

So tell me, what do you think of “Steven Universe”?