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The argument against the name "Derpy" is that it's ableist. While potentially true, this has been blown out of context from the one scene being overanalysed. In context, the character has been largely displayed in integrated (albeit background) social roles, without any discrimination present.

Additionally, the previous (now non-canon) name that was assumed for this character, "ditzy doo" (a name which might also imply stupidity or clumsiness), was given for a pony who was held responsible for one of the major social activities of the Ponyville community during the Winter Wrap-up episode. Two years running. She messed up both times, but this wasn't held against her. If we assume her to be a "handicapped character, then this clearly displays Anti-ableism.

As for the name "Derpy" itself (and its negative connotations), it is no different to "Goofy", a cartoon character who has been displayed on TV for decades. A silly name for a cartoon character does not provoke, incite or encourage Ableist thinking, and I can find no evidence to the contrary.

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Yes, let’s take out of the show the pony that is construed to have mental disabilities so we don’t offend people who get upset about being excluded from representation.

And let’s stop selling Homer Simpson and Goofy and Tom & Jerry merchandise too, they’re dumb characters who are obviously mentally retarded and thus offensive!

Seriously. We can’t please all of the people all of the time, but some of you aren’t pleased any of the time. It’s a cartoon fucking pony, it’s a word made up by a cartoon that is intended to be offensive, and it’s an endearing character that some people are offended by because she shows typical cartoon stupidity signs and happens to be walleyed.

Isn’t it just as bad you people saying she MUST represent disability if she’s walleyed, clumsy and socially awkward? Oh wait, you already thought of a counter-argument for that, I guess I can’t use it as part of my argument now. Too fuckin’ bad.

I might not have any disabilities but I sure as hell wouldn’t complain if they put a fat or depressed or socially abandoned or academically-stressed pony in the sho— OH WAIT THEY ALREADY DID! I’m not going to petition for them to never air Party of One or never have Mrs Cake or Twilight Sparkle in an episode again.

But you know, we had to change the name of the Fat Conductor, so I guess Mrs Cake will have to shed a few pounds, and Pinkie can never be shown as Pinkamena again. And I don’t think I heard anybody complaining about Lesson Zero, despite the fact that there are lots of things heard about kids committing suicide due to not getting the perfect expected grades their parents pressured them to get.

sdfsdgugh.

I now link you to Morgan Freeman’s view on racism as a reference for my closing argument.

Hedj

Feb 4 2012, 12:59 AM

I believe I've ranted about this on Tumblr recently after finding out that the artist of a comic I used to enjoy reading was one of the people making a fuss.

http://hedjeroo.tumblr.com/post/16978505363/my-opinion-on-the-matter-of-derpy

Quote:

 

Yes, let’s take out of the show the pony that is construed to have mental disabilities so we don’t offend people who get upset about being excluded from representation.

And let’s stop selling Homer Simpson and Goofy and Tom & Jerry merchandise too, they’re dumb characters who are obviously mentally retarded and thus offensive!

Seriously. We can’t please all of the people all of the time, but some of you aren’t pleased any of the time. It’s a cartoon fucking pony, it’s a word made up by a cartoon that is intended to be offensive, and it’s an endearing character that some people are offended by because she shows typical cartoon stupidity signs and happens to be walleyed.

Isn’t it just as bad you people saying she MUST represent disability if she’s walleyed, clumsy and socially awkward? Oh wait, you already thought of a counter-argument for that, I guess I can’t use it as part of my argument now. Too fuckin’ bad.

I might not have any disabilities but I sure as hell wouldn’t complain if they put a fat or depressed or socially abandoned or academically-stressed pony in the sho— OH WAIT THEY ALREADY DID! I’m not going to petition for them to never air Party of One or never have Mrs Cake or Twilight Sparkle in an episode again.

But you know, we had to change the name of the Fat Conductor, so I guess Mrs Cake will have to shed a few pounds, and Pinkie can never be shown as Pinkamena again. And I don’t think I heard anybody complaining about Lesson Zero, despite the fact that there are lots of things heard about kids committing suicide due to not getting the perfect expected grades their parents pressured them to get.

sdfsdgugh.

I now link you to Morgan Freeman’s view on racism as a reference for my closing argument.

Ruris

Feb 4 2012, 01:10 AM

If having a character that might be mentally handicapped is grounds for getting that character banned from TV, I'm surprised that Family Guy and South Park (shows that have actual mentally handicapped characters) haven't been pulled yet.