I was taken aback a bit today. Not by the content, as it is generally good. It was by specific wording and I know I really shouldn’t let it bother me, but it did. I even left a comment on the DC YouTube channel. My comment there was this:
“I don’t have a problem with Oracle being a voice in Dick’s ear. I do think it’s pretty messed up that John Kourounis refers to her as ‘it’. Oracle is well known as Barbara Golden and not an invisible party by fans. Perhaps she’s an invisible party unknown by some newcomers, but this is Oracle to the fans. We know her. We know her relationship with Dick Grayson. To call her an ‘it’ diminishes the powerful female that is a grand part of the team. I am not calling John a misogynist or saying he said anything wrong, as he’s clearly a fan of the character. I’m just saying, Barbara Gordon, Oracle, overcame a lot and should not be referred to as ‘it’.”
All that said, I’m a DC fanboy, and have been for most of my 40+ years (yes, I’m an old). And, again, I’m not playing some card calling John any kind of name, nor do I feel he is wrong. I just think Barbara Gordon is a character deserving more respect than “it”.
Of course, this is the YJ universe and it may not be Barb, but I’m pretty sure we all assume it is. And even if it isn’t, the voice on the other end of the line shouldn’t be referred to as “it”.
(Hoping not to spark a political debate. That’s really not the point and I’ve not really run into that in this community. I just thought it should be said… for Barbara,)