Introduction
The purpose of this analysis is to view the many unequal rights this TV show has, which is called Steven Universe. There are various episodes where it depicts inequality between “gems”, including the strict caste system, and the gem’s freedom to do whatever they want, since they’re assigned a job for a life-time.
Previous Research
There are several aspects when you’re describing what “inequality” is, because it can mean various things. Specifically discussing how “inequality” can be unfair when you’re putting it in a social environment. For example, in the article, “The Effect of Inequality and Relative Marginality on the Well-being of low caste people in Central Uttaranchal”, states that caste systems can influence people in perspectives of “marginality/centrality” accordance to their socio-economic status. Low caste people are more likely to feel of “desperation” and “hopelessness” due to the lack of resources they have available. Explicitly, that their socio-economic status can change their behavior and attitude. This relates to Steven Universe because the higher-class have a more narcissist behavior, while the lower-class have loyalty and respect to the higher-class.
Furthermore, caste systems can become a devastating issue within our society, considering the fact that it’s “unequal”. According to the article, “Social Change, Social Inequality, and Intergroup Tensions”, states that as caste systems begin to develop, society is constantly changing, precisely those who will show the greater dominancy as seen in the traditions of the patriarchy and the race-caste system. It is exactly what Steven Universe shows, those who show greater dominance and power, will become the dominant governor (The Diamonds). To further support this, anthropologist Ruth Benedict stated that dominance is one of the main ways to pattern how society functions and its culture. In the article “Why status matters for inequality”, states that “power is based primarily in cultural beliefs rather than directly on material arrangements”, while dominance and power can be portrayed differently, both influence each other. As I’ve said before, Steven Universe shows this type of behavior in the Caste system of Homeworld. Being the most dominant gem on Homeworld (The Diamonds), portray their power & regulation to take control.
Research Methods
How is this research relevant towards the cartoon show Steven Universe? I’ve been analyzing a few episodes based on inequality, specifically episodes that include a tyrant who governs “gems”. For example, in the episode called “Beta”, Jasper was explaining how the system of “Homeworld” works. She said the “Diamonds” are the highest ranking of all gems, they’re the ones who govern Homeworld and all of its creation, while at the very bottom of the caste, are Pearls, who serve the higher-ranking gems. Those who do not meet the requirements to be in a Diamond’s court, shall be purged. Think of it like a human child who has a mental illness, or someone who has autism, their requirements are gems who are perfectly adequate. To be noted, this is exactly what Ruth Benedict was saying, “Dominance shapes the function of society and Culture”.
In Steven Universe, there are a variety of gems shown throughout the show, each one of them have a different purpose in Homeworld’s caste system. But as I’ve been watching several episodes, the Diamonds react differently to gems who are at a higher class, and those who are at the very lowest class, like Rubies, who are “common soldiers”. For example, In the episode “The Answer”, is shown where 3 Rubies are guarding the high-ranking Sapphire, who can predict the future, and while Sapphire was sent to Blue Diamond to tell her about the future, she could not predict the fusion between herself and one of the ruby guards. Immediately when it happened, Blue Diamond was shocked that Sapphire’s prediction were wrong, but then suddenly Ruby came out and said, “No it was me!”, stating that it was her fault, not Sapphire’s. Blue Diamond immediately ordered for Ruby to be shattered (Killed) for fusing with one of her highest-ranking gems. Later ending with the two of them rebelling against Blue Diamond because they wanted to stay fused (Fusion can be used for fighting, but can also resemble a romantic relationship) But why didn’t she order Sapphire to be shattered? Fusion (Gems can fuse to form a new gem) is a violation of Homeworld’s regulation. But she didn’t shatter Sapphire because she is an important jewel to her court, not Ruby.
While there is no specific calculation within my research, I come to an understanding that the Diamonds don’t care about the “incompetent” gems on Homeworld. The Diamonds only give their respect to those who are valuable like Sapphire, who predict the future. Many of Homeworld’s low caste gems include Peridots, Pearls, Rubies, Amethysts, Carnelians, and many more that haven’t even been shown, or named! While the fewer higher-caste gems include, Aquamarines, Beryls, Morganites, Sapphires, Emeralds, the Diamonds (Highest of All), and many more who have an important job they are able to do, as I’ve discussed before in my previous research, those who can show greater power, become the dominant being of the society.
Results
The majority of Homeworld’s Gems give their loyalty towards the Diamonds because they were brainwashed. All gems are assigned a job they are supposed to do, for a life-time. But to be analyzed, there are Gems who don’t follow the regulations of Homeworld. Such as when Ruby and Sapphire fused, they were curious of each other’s experience they had. While some, rebel to become free to do whatever they want, like Bismuth, she originally built towers for tyrants, but built weapons for rebels instead.
In the episodes, “Reunited”, and “Legs from here to Homeworld”, shows how these rebel gems are willing to go to their fullest potential to reach their freedom from the Diamonds. Homeworld’s regulations are exceptionally strict that gems are willing to fight for their independence. Considering the fact that homeworld assigns gems a task to do, but they’re not able to do what they want. For example, a Sapphire gem cannot be a soldier, or cannot be a lawyer, because she has the power to see the future, therefore, Homeworld wants Sapphires to only predict the future.
Discussion and Conclusion
To sum up, I’ve analyzed how inequality takes part in the cartoon show Steven Universe, I’ve come to a conclusion that gems with a high-ranking or low-ranking status, have a similarity between them, they both are loyal to the Diamonds, but the Diamonds giving them their respect is completely different, they are treated with bad manners, and punishments likes shattering them. The research I’ve done is more of a functionalist framework. In Steven Universe, Homeworld wants their society to function perfectly without any mistakes and issues. They don’t want any gems who are defective or broken. This is far beyond from being fair if we compare it with our society.
1. (Moland, John; “Social Change, Social Inequality, and Intergroup Tensions”, Social Forces, 1996, Vol. 75(2), pp.403-421)
2. (Polit, Karin M.Anthropology & Medicine, 01 December 2005, Vol.12(3), p.225-237)
3. (Ridgeway, Cecilia L; “Why Status Matters for Inequality”, American Sociological Review, February 2014, Vol.79(1), pp.1-16)