Black History Month has always possessed a dual nature. It is a time of celebration for how far we, as a society, have progressed in the march towards racial equality, and a time to honor the amazing individuals throughout history who led that march. But it is also a time of reckoning for how society is still held back by institutionalized racism and inequity, and a time to reflect on what we should be doing to pave the way to a brighter tomorrow.
If 2020 taught us anything, it’s just how important it is to have conversations about how to make Black voices better heard in modern society. One major point of discussion has been about racial diversity in fictional media. Movies and TV shows have begun taking noticeable steps towards better representation, but things get a bit uncomfortable when we turn over to the world of video games. That’s why, before I spotlight today’s spectacular artwork to celebrate Black History Month, I think we should take a good, honest look at where the Kingdom of Hyrule currently stands on representation.
The Zelda series is revolutionary in so many ways, having broken through numerous boundaries of gaming to give us a beautiful fantasy world rich with lore and full of interesting characters. But one hurdle it hasn’t quite managed to overcome is the incorporation of racially diverse people into its world. If you stop to think about it, the overwhelming majority of humans who populate the Zelda universe can be categorized as white, and Link and Princess Zelda, in particular, are usually designed as the blonde-haired, blue-eyed hero stereotypes we tend to see in Western fiction. The Gerudo Tribe is the closest the Zelda games have come to including another race of people, but it doesn’t really help matters when the members of that tribe are often depicted as thieves or pirates, with its most iconic member being the main villain of the series. And while entries like Breath of the Wild have taken steps in the right direction to add depth and complexity to the Gerudo, it still feels like they have a long way to go towards full integration into the world of Hyrule.
Bottom line: Racial diversity in the Zelda universe shouldn’t stop with the Gerudo Tribe. I’ve often thought about the future of this series, and how wonderful it would be to see an incarnation of Link as a Black man, or Princess Zelda as a Black woman. I try to imagine what their backstories would be within the land of Hyrule, and how they, much like the real-life community of people they represent, would overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles with incredible dignity and grace.
We may not yet have such incarnations in the actual games, but luckily, we have the next best thing. In a trio of pictures that reimagine three previous incarnations of Princess Zelda as Black women, Theskywaker from DeviantArt has offered us a glimpse of what it might be like to one day have a Hyrulian princess of color.
First we have our oceanic princess from The Wind Waker, and in my humble opinion, I don’t think she has ever looked more beautiful. Her lovely chocolate skin and dark, wavy hair suit her so well that I actually have trouble imagining her any other way. Her bright gaze and sweet smile reflect an energetic girl full of kindness and confidence, while the little wink reminds us of her devilishly playful spirit. And surely, her Miss Tetra counterpart would be a stunning vision to behold as well, fearlessly leading her band of pirates on great adventures across the open seas.
Next, we come to the stoically courageous Twilight Princess Zelda. The first thing that stands out to me in this portrait is her hair, neatly coiled into numerous flowing braids and contained by white ribbons. This is the perfect choice for her, as it not only reflects her elegance and refinement as the leader of Hyrule, but it also symbolizes her resilience of spirit in the face of darkness. More than any other incarnation of Zelda, this princess walks a lonely path, trapped in an alien world with almost no one to turn to for help. Yet her bravery and deep compassion remain strong as ever, and when her time finally comes to take back her kingdom, she will awaken her inner warrior to finish the job for good. Her gentle, steady gaze conveys all the heartache and loneliness she has suffered on her journey, yet reassures us that she will continue to soldier on without hesitation. She is an unbreakable pillar of strength, a wise and just leader, and an all-around extraordinary woman.
And last but not least, we have the curious, sensitive scholar from Breath of the Wild. I find this one to be the most interesting of the three, as it presents a starkly different version of Zelda compared to the one we follow in the game. Unlike the insecure and melancholy princess we’re used to seeing, this Zelda seems completely relaxed and happy, finally in her element as she pursues her dream of being a scientist. Her gorgeous locks of curly brown hair flow naturally in the wind, reflecting how she is free at last to be her truest self. The stance is poised and graceful, but not stiff, showing that she doesn’t feel the need to be cool and collected all the time. Her warm brown eyes glance shyly at the camera, posing for just a brief moment before she undoubtedly returns to her intense research session. This is exactly what we have wanted for Princess Zelda all along: the chance for her to make her own decisions, be an independent woman, and joyously soak up the sunshine as she strikes out on her own adventures.
I hope with all my heart that one day soon, the voices of the Black community will make it to Hyrule, and we will get to see a Black Princess Zelda in all her glory. And if she is anything like the beautiful women Theskywaker has given us today, then it will truly be an occasion worth celebrating for gamers everywhere. So on that note, I wish you all a memorable Black History Month full of enlightenment, celebration and joy!
(Also, if you like Theskywaker’s art, you can follow them on DeviantArt, Tumblr, Twitter, and Patreon.)
