Hello, Velma and Congratulations!

Alt-Right enthusiast, hold on to your hats, as we have become aware of yet another familiar nostalgic cartoon received a progressive face-lift. The beloved child classic Scooby-Doo now joins the ranks of other American animation to include an LGBTQ+ representative. Velma Dinkley recently expressed her amorous attraction to another female character in Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo and I am just waiting to see how the internet is going to react.

A while back Disney received backlash for its lesbian kiss in Lightyear. Many conservative fans frowned on LGBTQ representation in a child’s cartoon and threatened to boycott the film. It was so traumatic that some countries banned it from entering their borders. However, this kiss was mild and had very little screen time. Adding it into the film was only to mirror how our society has changed and the direction we will inevitably progress to. So, why is it such a bad idea to have social changes adapted in children shows? Historically speaking, as our nation moved towards a less racist society, many animators started to add black characters into their shows. Peanuts was probably one of the first to adopt a black character with Franklin. It provided some inclusivity for all the African American children who did not see where they fit in a white America, especially after the Civil Rights Movement. As time moved on, television evolved to include more black and ethnic characters for a better representation. Of course, during this time, there were people who were against allowing these important characters to invade the cartoon line up.

History repeats itself, only this time we are not focused on race, but on sexual orientation. Truth be told, not every child follows the heteronormative narrative that continues to be forced on many child. As the conversation over love remains open, more and more children are becoming self-aware of their own romantic preference and like their heterosexual peers, these children also need representation on how to express their feeling for someone they feel amorous about. Their peers are able to see it all the time in nearly every cartoon, sitcom, or movie. Yet, many parents strongly feel “a child should not be exposed to LBGTQ+ ideology.” This way of thinking may have unwanted affects on a gay or lesbian child’s development.

Most progressive parents keep an open mind when it comes to their child’s romantic preference, accepting their child regardless of which gender their child chooses. They make sure their child is supported in the decisions they make for a potential partner and remind their child they love them regardless of which direction they choose romantically. Furthermore, progressive children tend to be “happier” about their identity. Parents who stifle their child’s sexual orientation may create a “shameful” environment, which can lead to negative consequences for either the parents, the child, or both. Children who mature into adults feeling shameful about who they are may either become violent to those who are living authentically, or end their life due to how unhappy they are over their own identity (or lack of).

Personally, I am excited for Velma and this wonderful plot change to Scooby-Doo. I find it supportive when cartoons make attempts to show how the world really is for their young audience, providing representation of every ethnicity, gender, and romantic interests. I feel it inadvertently prepares the next generation for the world they will be entering as an adult. Additionally, it teaches children to be respectful and accepting of people who are different than themselves. Ultimately, it creates validation for those who need it. Similar to that one black character in an all white cartoon, having LGBTQ+ representation in children television and films includes all children. As humans, that is what we are looking for: acceptance.

The question now is: What next Warner Brothers? Shaggy always had Scooby; Fred had Daphne (sort of), will Mystery Inc have a new addition for Velma? Or will her character remain wandering from female to female sort of like Joey in the sitcom Friends? I know there are many people who are equally ecstatic about this news and want to see more from the franchise. We are rooting for you, Velma!