We found it hard to like How to Train Your Dragon 2 because the villain was animated in a racist way.  It is very disappointing to see that the one non-white character in the movie was the bad guy. Using the color of his skin, his dreadlocks, his facial features and voice to suggest that he is bad plays on and reinforces negative stereotypes.  

Associating moral characteristics with skin color and other racial features is not based in reality and has no place in movies. 

Even if DREAMWORKS did not intend to act in a racist way, its actions are hurtful to people.  Implicit bias - unthinking racial stereotyping - runs rampant in our country.  Companies like DREAMWORKS should not only avoid reinforcing stereotypes, they should play a positive role in helping young people - and all people - see past racial differences and see our shared humanity. 

We are not the only ones to think so.  Similar concerns about the movie have been voiced on the internet. A great example is this blog post by Olivia Cole.

We decided to create this petition to raise awarness and see if other people shared our concern. If you agree with us, please sign this petition asking Jeffery Katzenberg, the CEO of DREAMWORKS, to stop using racial stereotypes in animated movies and instead become a leader in eliminating racism in the entertainment industry.