Thursday, May 27, 2010

Beware The Zombie Apocalypse!

If our latest pop culture has taught us anything, it's that stereotypes are meant to be broken... especially in the world of fantasy. Think of the fairy tales we were told and the horror movies we came across (usually against our mothers' wishes) when we were young and you'll know what I mean. For example, witches were always ugly, mean-spirited creatures with personal vendettas against humankind, but ever since the Harry Potter books came out, our vision of wizards and witches has changed radically. We used to fear  Nosferatu and Dracula, but ever since vampires began to sparkle in 2005, girls dream of being swept off their feet by one. The novel and musical Wicked gives a reprieve to Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, and even Cinderella's ugly stepsisters are redeemed in one novel or another. The point is, our generation loves a good villain-turned-antihero, which is why such books and movies continue to thrive, and our perceptions change over time.

Sadly, in spite of the new Generation Dead series by Daniel Waters, which focuses on teen zombies and their horrible treatment in our world, we still don't have it in us to let go of our grudge against zombies. I'll admit that in the past they were known for eating brains, but surely while everyone else is getting their side of the story told, so too should the "differently biotic" (Waters' politically correct term for zombies). And yet, our schools still host Zombies vs. Humans games and promote these stereotypes! I remember sitting outside before class one time, overhearing a group of kids my age discussing how they would protect themselves in the zombie apocalypse, and one of them actually pulled out a Zombie Survival Guide! I was appalled at the level of prejudice I observed... if people heard about the injustices that the innocent zombies face on a daily basis, maybe they would throw out those survival guides and lend a hand to the pro-zombie movement instead.

When the third book Passing Strange comes out on Tuesday, you'd better believe I'm going to buy it and become more entrenched in the protection and appreciation of the differently biotic. And while you're swooning over Edward Cullen, just think of those perfectly wonderful zombies who need your support.

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