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Jon writes...

So currently rewatching YJ Season One on Netflix. I'm up to "Secrets," and I can't help but wonder... do Martians consider "War of the Worlds" and similar alien-invasion movies and literature to be derogatory and/or racist? If the Martian population hasn't been sufficiently exposed to human culture at the point where the story left off to have an opinion, *would* they eventually take offense to said works? (I have to wonder if they'd wind up seeing Marvin the Martian -- the form Megan takes in this episode, presumably showing that Looney Tunes exist on Earth-16 -- as a sort of Chief Wahoo sort of figure...)

Greg responds...

I think that when J'onn sent broadcasts to Mars, he would have definitely sent anything that depicted "Martians," (including what must have been a perplexing "Life on Mars"). Because, after all, wouldn't Martians be very curious about "Martians"?

Way back when he started, I'm sure he would have prefaced his transmissions by reminding his Martian audience that Earthlings have no idea that Martians actually exist. That this was fantasy, much like the way Martians tell stories of evil sentient ma'alefa'aks, knowing that they're really just animals (like the way we talk about the Great Apes in Tarzan).

Given that, I think the Martians would be able to regard the "Martians" of Earth as kitsch.

Of course, as time passes on Earth-16 and Mars-16 (and Martians become aware that Earthlings are aware of the truth and nature of Martian existence), if the depiction of "Martians" didn't change, then the Martians would begin to have issues with those depictions.

But specifically, "War of the Worlds" - having been written over a hundred years before Earthlings knew that Martians did in fact exist - would still fall into the category of quaint.

Also, keep in mind, given the fact that at least three alien races - the Appellaxians, the Kroloteans and the Reach -DID, in fact, attempt invasion, the Martians wouldn't be upset about fictional depictions of OTHER races being demonized. Only if the "demons" were labeled as "Martians".

Fun question, by the way.

Response recorded on October 25, 2016