I was tying to be universal - JEESH!

I thought that my intent to use animal characters to create universally appealing and inoffensive stories would indeed be commendable, however I have learned recently that not even a children story  is exempt from misinterpretation. This is a classic example of how deeply ingrained social perceptions can sometimes lead to unintended readings, even when the creator's intentions are entirely different.

As creators, we often strive to build bridges, not walls, with our work. We aim for universal themes, relatable characters, and narratives that resonate across diverse audiences. For many storytellers, myself included, the choice of animal characters has long been a go-hoc method to achieve this very goal. My recent experience, however, has highlighted a challenging truth: even with the best intentions, the subjective nature of interpretation means you can't please everyone, and sometimes, the most innocent choices can be seen through lenses you never intended.

The image in question features a trio of beloved farm animals: a pink pig, a brown-and-white cow, and a black-and-white sheep. My intent in using these characters in stories was precisely to transcend human identifiers like race, nationality, or specific cultural backgrounds. Animals, in countless fables, myths, and children's literature across the globe, serve as archetypes for human traits and experiences. They allow us to explore themes of friendship, courage, kindness, perseverance, and conflict without being bogged down by the complexities of human societal divisions. My hope was that by using a pig, a cow, and a sheep, my stories would become more universal, more accessible, and less prone to specific human-centric biases.

The idea was simple: A pig could represent innocence or joy, a cow steadfastness or nurturing, and a sheep perhaps curiosity or loyalty. Their animal forms would strip away preconceived notions based on human appearances, allowing the audience to focus purely on their actions, personalities, and the lessons embedded in the narrative. This approach is rooted in a rich tradition of storytelling, from Aesop's Fables to Beatrix Potter, where animals embody facets of the human condition in a way that is often more palatable and less confrontational than direct human representation.

Yet, a recent comment, suggesting that these animals might correspond to specific human racial groups—the sheep as a black person, the cow as a brown person, and the pig as a white person—was a stark reminder of how deeply individuals can project their own experiences and societal constructs onto even the most innocuous imagery. This interpretation was genuinely shocking, precisely because it was so far removed from my creative intent. There were no deliberate choices made to link animal appearance to human racial characteristics, and any such connection is purely in the eye of the beholder, unintended and unacknowledged by the creator.

This experience underscores a critical point for anyone putting their work out into the world: While you can meticulously craft your message and intent, you cannot control how every single person will perceive it. In a world increasingly sensitive to representation and historical context, even seemingly neutral choices can be scrutinized through a myriad of personal and societal filters.

It's a disheartening realization for a creator who genuinely seeks to foster inclusivity and understanding. However, it also brings us back to a fundamental truth: You cannot please all the people all the time. As artists, writers, and communicators, our primary responsibility is to create with integrity, staying true to our vision and the values we wish to convey. If the intent is pure, universal, and free of malice or prejudice, then one must stand by that.

The beauty of animal characters lies in their ability to be placeholders for anyone. They are blank slates upon which children and adults alike can project their own understanding of the world, fostering empathy and imagination without the baggage of real-world prejudices. My stories will continue to feature these beloved animals, precisely because I believe in their power to connect with a wider audience on a deeper, more fundamental level, irrespective of superficial interpretations.

Ultimately, while we should always strive for sensitivity and understanding, creators must also hold firm to their artistic integrity and core message. My commitment remains to telling stories that are truly universal, fostering connection and positive values through the timeless and inclusive appeal of animal characters. The best we can do is to create from a place of good intention and let the universality of the narrative speak for itself.