Summary:
Several commenters mentioned that the fantasy genre itself required viewers to be broadminded. It makes sense. After all, this is a series that’s had its share of genre-ism directed its way; indeed, that dynamic was what got me to start writing on the series in the first place. Whedon himself observed, “I believe that anyone who isn’t open to a show with this title isn’t invited to the party. I made the title very specifically to say, ‘This is what it is.’ It wears itself on its sleeve. It’s sophomoric; it’s silly; it’s comedy-horror-action; it’s all there in the title. Having the metaphor to work with makes the show better, and having the silly title makes the show cooler, at least to me” (Havens 33).
People tended towards three examples when it came to this question: Willow coming out, Riley learning about Oz, and Angel/Spike/Clem.
This scene was mentioned too. [screencap credit: buffyworld.com]
There was some disagreement about the role of vampires here, with several observing that the series tended to highlight the difficulties of tolerance through the binary formed Xander and Buffy. (Indeed, three people cited Buffy’s speech during the blowup in “The Yoko Factor”.)
The issue of whether the series teaches xenophobia through its vampires is debated every semester in our seminar. Popular authors for this issue tend to be Mary Alice Money’s “The Undemonization of Supporting Characters in Buffy” in Fighting the Forces and Neal King’s “Brownskirts: Fascism, Christianity and the Eternal Demon” in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy, with Money arguing for a tolerant message and King arguing that the series is proto-fascist. The fandom seems to tilt heavily towards Money’s arguments.
Your comments:
While there are several instances of "demons are sometimes good" in the series, greater reward seems to come from accepting given alliances and roles.
Joss lays this one on pretty thick:)
This one is a back and forth, the characters may portray narrow-mindedness or be broadminded. Especially, Willow's lesbianism could appear difficult. Buffy's at times strange relationships with vampires, created skepticism, particularly Xander was skeptical. In many cases he was right.
The fact that they deal with nonhumans (demons, vamps, etc.) in everyday life makes them open-minded enough. In more human situations, Willow's coming out and the loving relationship she had with Tara was a great representation of this concept.
From the first episode of the show this is shown to be one of the most important lessons in BTVS. Just because someone looks like a frail little girl doesn't mean that she is. Just because someone is a vampire doesn't mean he's always evil, etc.
This becomes a major theme later in the series as the characters grow, but the first few seasons don't reflect a focus on it.
As much as was covered in the series, the ultimate example of this is when Buffy realized Willow was gay. Great moment and great response!
Willows Homosexuality
Buffys relationship with vampires
Xander and Anya
The first thing I thought of when I read this was Willow coming out. Buffy and everyone was a bit weird about it at the beginning, but they loved Willow the same, and welcomed Tara into their group of friends.
For the most part, everybody that we were meant to like was very open-minded, or at least came to be. If they weren't, it was often played for laughs, or to be used as a negative aspect of the one being close-minded. Buffy came to accept Willow's sexuality, Riley came to accept Oz's wolfiness, etc. The prime example that comes to mind of non-acceptance was Xander's attitude toward vampires. But even he understood Angel's use in the group.
otherwise your probably going to die a very painful looking death.
I think the best example we see of this is from Riley when he needs to learn that there aren't just evil demons and good heroes. He needed to take time and see that Oz, Spike, etc. we're bad just because they were demons.
Being closed minded in Sunnydale got you killed.
I almost answered 5, but then remembered the fair amount of judgementalism re vampires (of course) and older and/or more conservative humans.
To me, this is represented in Buffy always looking for a different approach to any situation she finds herself in, her acceptance of, among many things, homosexuality and her rejection of the Watchers' Council's ways.
If I were any more open-minded my brain would fall out :)
One of them even said something similar to, "My mind is so open things keep falling out!"
The show demonstrated a need to be accepting (a world you don't understand, individual lifestyle, etc), but one must also acknowledge one's own values (Angel's evil again, Anya's a demon again, etc.)
Most of the characters were so open minded that their brains were falling out.
I think this is one value that Buffy consistently demonstrated whether it was Larry coming out to Xander and then the whole school from 'Go Fish' through to the end of season 3, or Willow and Tara's relationship, or Giles's interacial relationship with Olivia, or Buffy's willingness to trust chipped Spike by the end of season 5. In fact, on this last point how Buffy and the Scooby Gang treat demons...etc does entail a sort of broadmindedness with Clem for instance being given a 'free pass', and Angel eventually being accepted into the fold despite being a vampire. Tara is another good example, particularly in the episode 'Family' where her stereotypically close-minded southern American family is shown to be firmly in the wrong not only in their assessment of Tara (i.e. she has a demon in her), but also their abusive treatment of her.
The narrow-minded either change for the better or meet a sticky end, like Snyder.
The great exception to across-the-board open-mindedness is the episode Pangs.
Demonic allies. Just misunderstood.
As a show that had one of the first - maybe THE first - onscreen Lesbian couple, and a lot of other elements about racism and sexism, this show is all about being open-minded.
Season 6 - cautionary Willow.
Vampires with a soul, lesbian relationships, British people. Just some of things that were representative of acceptance and open mindedness
Constantly. One of the basic elements of the show to me, being a fantasy show after all.
You have to broadminded to live in Sunnydale.
Otherwise you turn evil (Tara's family).
Also important to have beliefs and act wisely, not naive.
When it came to sexual preference it was. For other things, not so much. Spike's ability to change would be an example.
I would give it a 5 if not for the episode "Pangs".
Except with soulless vampires.
Except possibly kitten juggling
And those who are closed-minded always get rebuked by another character - like Riley in New Moon Rising.
Examples: No character is black or white. Typically evil/monsters can frequently be heroes - or both. Oz, Angel, Spike, Anya, etc. It highlights that you can't solve a problem if you only look at the usual suspects. And though there weren't enough people of color on the show, you got lots of other representations of diversity.
The series expresses this idea, but also provides compelling counterpoints. The Scoobies' acceptance of, but initial discomfort with Tara; Spike's observations during the Chumash Thanksgiving that there are historical winners and losers; even Buffy's romances with Angel/Spike - all highlight the importance of open-mindedness, while acknowledging the difficulty.
Faith
Towards the end I felt that this was represented more. Especially when she started seeing Spike in a different light, and not just "evil vampire."
Constantly represented. At a basic level- do you think it's possible vampires are real? At an obvious level- It's cool that Buffy dates a Vampire, Willow dates a werewolf and later a woman, and Xander dates a demon. Also- not all demons are necessarily evil. Personality, not category is important.
I certainly saw "the world is not black and white" as a theme throughout the series, and that for a person to realize this and live accordingly was a good thing.
Buffy: 'If I was any more open-minded about the choices you two make, my whole brain would fall out"
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