black rebel pilot in rotj

[Sean the Hutt]

Is it possible to get the black/african pilot fron rotj made? He has lines so why not make him? Thanks
anyone know this pilots name or call sign?

[Phantom-like Menace]

His name is Grizz Frix, and he's been a figure I've wanted for a while too.

[vader121]

Up to now isn't it true that in the POTF2 era and beyond we've only had two african-american figures (Lando & Oola)? I think it is.

At least in the ESB they had the african-american Bespin guard. I really think it's time to have a few more. I agree that this pilot should be made as well as the african-american Bespin Guard. In fact I voted for it in the latest poll.

[Blue2th]

I think Oola is green, but an African American played her.

In the Prequels Luminaria and Barris are green colored Black actors as well I do believe.
What's up with the green huh?

[El Chuxter]

I'm not sure offhand about Luminara, but Barriss is Indian (as in India Indian, not Native American Indian).

[Phantom-like Menace]

(as in India Indian, not Native American Indian).

I usually use "Native American" and "Indian of Subcontinental Fame," but I'm notoriously silly.

[stillakid]

Is it possible to get the black/african pilot fron rotj made? He has lines so why not make him?

You can have him today! :yes:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10&productId=100519746&categoryID=503367

[jedi master sal]

If you're talking African American in appearance (as in brown skin), there are any of the Lando figures, Ack Med Beq (AOTC) and the AA Endor Rebel Soldier. That's all I can think of right now.

Oola and Luminara while played by black actresses where both coincidentally light green in color. So I don't count them in the strictest sense (that being of brown skin in color for the action figure), but they are technically, due to their real life race.

Oh and I'd Definitely buy Grzz Fixx (or whatever his name is). Actors who had speaking lines should all be done.

Besides, he had one of the best lines in the saga..."She's gonna blow!" <--not my words, L.O.L.

[Blue2th]

We can thank Christopher Columbus for the "Indian" and "Indian" confusion. He thought he had reached the far east I suppose.

[stillakid]

Besides, he had one of the best lines in the saga..."She's gonna blow!" <--not my words, L.O.L.

Hmm, I could add him to this diorama: :love:

http://forums.sirstevesguide.com/showthread.php?p=194883#post194883

[El Chuxter]

Actually, Columbus said the people of the New World were "a people in God" (in dios), and the confusion arose much later because "in dios" is the same spelling wise as Indians in Spanish (indios). Though Columbus probably thought he was a lot closer to Asia, he had enough sense to know he wasn't there yet.

[Blue2th]

Actually, Columbus said the people of the New World were "a people in God" (in dios), and the confusion arose much later because "in dios" is the same spelling wise as Indians in Spanish (indios). Though Columbus probably thought he was a lot closer to Asia, he had enough sense to know he wasn't there yet.
Kinda figured it was something like that, hence "I suppose" Somebody had told me this story, but surely Columbus being an expert sailor knew he hadn't gotten far enough to reach the far east.

[jedi master sal]

Oh, I also forgot the newish Rebel Vanguard (which utilizes the same head as the Endor Rebel trooper). So it's kinda of a new figure in a sense, though it's really a kit-bash of several figs.

[JediTricks]

Ugh, I'm sorry, I know the name and backstory for this guy is fan-based, but "Grizz Frix" is a lousy name IMO.

Anyway, as for the figure, I would buy it if they made it, but I'm not really interested in pushing for one as I don't really want any more pilot figures right now and we're getting 3 more anyway. He's got a line in the film so that's good, and it doesn't hurt to see more action figures of black characters who were actually in the movies (they're not African or African-American since there's no Africa or America in the SW universe).

BTW, not to get too far off topic, but I don't think we should be afraid to say "black" here, the character is a black guy. Han Solo is a white guy. These are the terms we got, James Brown did away with "negro" when he released "Say it Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" so I'm going with that - we all know what the heck it means when we say someone's white or black even though neither are strictly accurate adjectives, it's not meant hurtfully, it's just a descriptive hyperbole. (And thank goodness we're not talking about SW characters played by Asian actors :p)

It's not like we refer to Lando as "the black guy", since we recognize him by his name, we don't need a description; but with ol' Grizz "She's gonna blow!" Frix here, we don't have that luxury.

[stillakid]

it's not meant hurtfully, it's just a descriptive hyperbole. .

Shouldn't that be up to our members who are part of the specific demographic?

[JediTricks]

It's not up to them to decide whether it's MEANT hurtfully, only whether it is found to be so outside consideration of intention. It's also my job to judge the appropriateness of these things to avoid having people hurt by such things. As I've run this up the flagpole a couple times and it flew, it's cleared for forums use.

[Sean the Hutt]

actually I figured Lucas uses a lot of British actors so African American was to region specific! I don't mind being called white, so I figured black/ African was the best way to differentiate him.What else to say,,the guy with the green helmet who dies in the the star destroyer explosion... though it is a strange world we live in 1st nation Americans do not want to be called redman, nor Asians as yellow, so I don't know.
I do know I would like to have this figure for my pilot collection...really the question is Why has it not already been made...shame shame!

[Sean the Hutt]

oh yeah ...that name is a bit strange!
thanks for the info though

[Sean the Hutt]

oh and to stir the pot a bit they did give us a fat guy named porkins...that is just wrong, but porkins is my favorite pilot...I f I could just fit him in a ship!
seriously I don't know how the world let that one pass...over weight people are the most looked down upon segment of our society shame again!
Sorry I'm in a mood

[bigbarada]

Ugh, I'm sorry, I know the name and backstory for this guy is fan-based, but "Grizz Frix" is a lousy name IMO.

Anyway, as for the figure, I would buy it if they made it, but I'm not really interested in pushing for one as I don't really want any more pilot figures right now and we're getting 3 more anyway. He's got a line in the film so that's good, and it doesn't hurt to see more action figures of black characters who were actually in the movies (they're not African or African-American since there's no Africa or America in the SW universe).

BTW, not to get too far off topic, but I don't think we should be afraid to say "black" here, the character is a black guy. Han Solo is a white guy. These are the terms we got, James Brown did away with "negro" when he released "Say it Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" so I'm going with that - we all know what the heck it means when we say someone's white or black even though neither are strictly accurate adjectives, it's not meant hurtfully, it's just a descriptive hyperbole. (And thank goodness we're not talking about SW characters played by Asian actors :p)

It's not like we refer to Lando as "the black guy", since we recognize him by his name, we don't need a description; but with ol' Grizz "She's gonna blow!" Frix here, we don't have that luxury.

So we can't call him the Chocolate X-Wing Pilot? It's technically more accurate that "black.":p

Actually, I agree that the term "black" is just the most practical. African-American just assumes that the guy is American. What if he was British or Canadian? Plus, it's Earth-specific and these guys aren't supposed to be from Earth. If people choose to be offended by "black", well then that's their decision.

Anyways, I think it would be pretty cool to have this guy made, but we're getting plenty of pilots this year, so he's not a super huge priority for me.

[El Chuxter]

At least they didn't name him Shaft D'ogg.

[stillakid]

African-American just assumes that the guy is American. What if he was British or Canadian?

It also assumes that his lineage is from Africa.


Plus, it's Earth-specific and these guys aren't supposed to be from Earth.

I think that there's a thread back in the past that talks about this, but I don't know where to find it.



If people choose to be offended by "black", well then that's their decision.


Well, yeah, that's how "being offended" works, isn't it? But just because nobody from that race vocalizes being offended on the forum doesn't mean that it isn't necessarily offensive. It's the same as if a group of white honky rednecks got together in the woods and screamed out every offensive racist and sexist word they could remember. That no one in the woods with them stands up and says that they are offended, doesn't mean that the words aren't offensive and inappropriate. Just another example of a sliding scale of what's deemed acceptable on this forum.

[Blue2th]

You can call me Cracker anytime.
Or to quote Commander Shran the Andorian "Pink Skin"

There was a Disco band called Hot Chocolate, at least it was sweet like brown sugar.

Funny how when related to tasty food it's ok.

If we really want to get technical, why don't we say beige and brown. or light beige and light brown, dark biege dark brown. Or like crayons, sepia, mahogany, ochre (or is that tubes of oil colors?) Of course you still find black and white in a box of crayons.

Black and white works for me. I don't know what to say about red and yellow, but it is broken down to it's simplest form.

Little green men? greys?

Remember that guy in Star Trek TOS who was half black and half white, while his enemy was the opposite half white and half black? That episode showed how ridiculous things can get.

[bigbarada]

Well, yeah, that's how "being offended" works, isn't it? But just because nobody from that race vocalizes being offended on the forum doesn't mean that it isn't necessarily offensive. It's the same as if a group of white honky rednecks got together in the woods and screamed out every offensive racist and sexist word they could remember. That no one in the woods with them stands up and says that they are offended, doesn't mean that the words aren't offensive and inappropriate. Just another example of a sliding scale of what's deemed acceptable on this forum.

Well, that's when it comes down to intent. I can think of plenty of words for African-Americans that I could say if I wanted to be intentionally offensive, which I don't want to be at all. However, "black" is just used as a descriptive adjective when no other information on that character is really available. I don't mean it as offensive, but if someone decides to be offended by it, there's really nothing I can do.

Referring to Mace Windu as "that black Jedi" might be offensive, because he's a pretty important character in the story and to ignore all that and focus on his skin color would suggest racism. However, in the case of this particular X-Wing Pilot, there's just not much else to go on. He was black, he said three words in the movie, then he died. But he was the only black X-Wing Pilot in ROTJ, so he's easy to remember for that alone.

For instance, your use of the term "white honky rednecks" would be considered offensive, because it was clearly intended as a slur. I wouldn't consider myself a "white honky redneck" and 95% of my friends wouldn't fit in that category, even though we're unfairly categorized as that just because of our hobbies and the region that we live in. I like guns, I like to hunt and I live in a farm town, but I definitely don't consider myself a "white honky redneck." However, I do have friends that fit very well in that category and I like them a lot so a comment like that kind of stings because it automatically assumes that they are stupid and racists, which is not the case at all.

[El Chuxter]

In my entire life, I've never personally known anyone to get offended by the term "black." I don't use it often, since I keep hearing it's offensive, and it's possible that people I don't know who are within earshot might be offended. But using it around folks I know, which I do more commonly, I've never, ever offended anyone.

It's kinda like the groups we're supposed to call Native Americans. Most of them that I've known actually prefer the term "Indian." Or, better, their individual tribe name. Native American is actually more offensive, since it implies they were natives of a country they were practically kicked out of.

[JediTricks]

So we can't call him the Chocolate X-Wing Pilot? It's technically more accurate that "black.":pTell that to WHITE CHOCOLATE! ;) Yeah, Grizz here is darker than Lando. You know how they have all the dates in SW based on the Battle of Yavin, like ROTJ is 3 ABY and TPM is 32 BBY (After the Battle of Yavin, Before the Battle of Yavin)? I suppose you could do that with SW character complexions based on either Han or Lando, with Grizz being 2 DTL and Typho being 6 LTL (Darker than Lando, Lighter than Lando). Luke would be 1 LTH (Lighter than Han). :D

Or maybe we just skip that mess. :thumbsup:


Actually, I agree that the term "black" is just the most practical. African-American just assumes that the guy is American. What if he was British or Canadian? Plus, it's Earth-specific and these guys aren't supposed to be from Earth. If people choose to be offended by "black", well then that's their decision.I don't think people usually DECIDE to be offended, and if I hear from a bunch of black people on this issue who say they find it hurtful, I'll reconsider it. But from the black people I've talked to in the past on the matter, it wasn't a problem.


Anyways, I think it would be pretty cool to have this guy made, but we're getting plenty of pilots this year, so he's not a super huge priority for me.That poor "she's gonna blow!" actor isn't even credited in the movie or on Wookieepedia, we gotta find out who he and Willrow Hood were played by, and ask them what they think.

[2-1B]

That guy is way more important than Wilrow Hood. :D

[bigbarada]

I don't think Green Leader is credited either and he took out a whole Super Star Destroyer.

[stillakid]

I don't think Green Leader is credited either and he took out a whole Super Star Destroyer.

Green Leader was just a Terrorist...flying things into bigger things making them go BOOM. :bandit: Should we glorify his legacy in 3 3/4" of plastic? :sur:

But as they say, one man's terrorist is another man's patriot. :yes:

[Sean the Hutt]

you guys are all too funny, I thought about space balls the movie what do you call those 2 guys Combing the desert with an afro pic?
Our society is at best hipocriticle, but done in the right context, making fun of each other can be ok. I laugh when Chris Rock makes fun of white people. I can laugh at myself?. I suppose being 1st nation american, or african american is different as they have been on the losing side of history
Though as I see many dropping pay checks at "Indian Casinos" and An African American poised to win the white house, do we still live in those times of our fathers and grand fathers? Things are definitely changing in America. Here in San Diego it is predominately hispanic now, anyway good to be able to talk about these things...even here...here even more I think

[DarkArtist]

Is it possible to get the black/african pilot fron rotj made? He has lines so why not make him? Thanks
anyone know this pilots name or call sign?

put me down for one of this guy. always wanted him since I saw ROTJ.

does anyone know if this is one of the guys in the second evolutions set of the Rebel Pilots ?

[Sean the Hutt]

bo he is not..but he should be, an overlooked character for sure.

[Mad Slanted Powers]

There is the Congressional Black Caucus, the United Negro College Fund, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, so why should any of those terms be offensive?

[Sinscia Fat'o]

i've always wanted a figure of this guy.

[mtriv73]

I made a custom one a few years ago using a wedge X-wing pilot and the Mace Windu Head where it looks likes he's screaming (I think it was a deluxe figure but maybe not). It made a pretty good facsimile of the guy when his X-wing was destroyed.

Now I just need a screaming head for a Porkins figure...

[bigbarada]

Green Leader was just a Terrorist...flying things into bigger things making them go BOOM. :bandit: Should we glorify his legacy in 3 3/4" of plastic? :sur:

Too late, he's being released with a new A-Wing as a Wal-Mart exclusive this year.:p

[jeddah]

... it's about time the stigma attached to "black" was dropped in the US. black is used as a term of empowerment here (UK) and many of our committees and so on for racial equality include the word "Black" in their title (BEM = Black and ethnic Minorities)

Having grown up with predominantly Afro-Caribbean social circle and teaching at an afro-caribbean college for youth offenders and disaffected youth, I can vouch that they will be laughing their socks off at the loops that white folk make, trying to find something to salve an almost genetically hardwired guilt. I've shown my (Anglo-African) partner this thread and he is delighted by the irony.

I recall a post some years back from Tycho about his neighbour and the issue of race came up. Funny that it still causes so much confusion. When I teach I get all sorts of jokes and strange respect from my students "you ain't like white people are you?" or "you so racist sir, innit" because I've made a joke at them being typically late or whatever. Have fun, it's about intent. You can't celebrate diversity if you don't celebrate the fact that we are diverse. However if a group of people take offense to a term, then it must be phased out. In this country our mot noir (pun intended) was "coloured". You rarely hear it these days. I have a very large group of old friends who live in ATL now. They do not fuss with "African American" but call themselves black. That does not mean that all African Americans should feel the same. Everything ain't for everybody.

Somebody put in above a phrase "That's assuming they are of African lineage..." I'm not sure what is meant by that, but , well Caribbean folk hail from Africa too. 400 years of the Atlantic Slave Triangle saw to that...

So, yeah... that's my truth...

Speaking of my kids, and particularly Star Wars - they put on an 8 minute opus of lyrical, street and combat dance which I choreographed called "The Fall of the Republic". In the press, it was mentioned by critics of the dance arena that it was a "departure to see black youth representing a film that has typically been accessible or approved by an almost exclusively white fan base." (I tried to upload the DVD to a free streaming site over a year ago but gave up in the end cos it never worked properly)

jeddah

[Jargo]

the pilot in question is usually known as 'Mak Case'. Though starwars.com databank now has an entry for him http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/grizzfrix/