Part 7/12:
The responses to the fan art and the notion of "canonically Black" turtles vary sharply. Many fans expressed overwhelming joy, claiming pride and representation, with fervent declarations like "My turtle boys are Black and I feel seen." This highlights how contemporary audiences seek affirmation through visibility and representation, especially when they feel marginalized or underrepresented.
Conversely, critics argue that these changes are performative and detrimental. They believe such shifts are unnecessary and distract from storytelling, arguing that they aren't rooted in the original spirit or intent of the characters. They contend that meaningful representation can be achieved through creating new characters rather than altering existing ones.