Last October, in one of the coolest moments in Wonder Woman’s storied history, the United Nations named her an honorary ambassador and declared October 21 Wonder Woman Day. A special ceremony was even held and attended by Lynda Carter, who portrayed the character on the ’70s live-action television series, and Gal Gadot, who is currently portraying Wonder Woman in the DCEU. Then, controversy erupted.
Two months later, Wonder Woman had been stripped of her honorary ambassadorship after 40,000 people signed a petition because they felt “the character’s current iteration is that of a large breasted, white woman of impossible proportions, scantily clad in a shimmery, thigh-baring body suit.”
In a recent interview, Carter responded to the controversy in true Wonder Woman fashion.
“Well, excuse me, women have breasts! Superman has got a big pouch in his crotch, so does Spider-Man and Green Lantern and their muscles are bulging — no one has a problem with that If they have a problem with a female who is strong, they’re missing the entire point; it’s the ultimate sexism to say because she has big breasts and a costume on, that is what you think represents her and who she is. Women do have breasts and women can defend themselves and fight back. Wonder Woman is about telling the truth.”
As for the part about Wonder Woman being specifically called out for being white? Carter pointed out that: “I’m half Hispanic and [Gal Gadot] is Israeli.”
Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers… and her true destiny.
Directed by Patty Jenkins, Wonder Woman stars Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, David Thewlis, Danny Huston, Elena Anaya, Ewen Bremner and Saïd Taghmaoui.
Wonder Woman will be released in theaters on June 2, 2017.
Source: The Daily Telegraph (via Comicbook.com)
