The new Masters of the Universe trailer dropped, and the internet did what it does best: overreact. One blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment featuring Prince Adam, He-Man’s alter ego, has ignited a firestorm of opinions. Did a kid’s cartoon just become a battlefield in the culture war?
See, in a brief montage of Adam’s life on Earth, a nameplate on his desk shows his pronouns: He/Him. It’s a tiny detail, but for some, it’s a declaration of war. It’s as if someone added pineapple to pizza—some people just can’t stomach it.
The Outrage Machine
I saw someone on Twitter recently complaining about a coffee shop asking for preferred pronouns. Apparently, offering people the basic courtesy of using the correct terms is now a political act. The latest Masters of the Universe trailer has triggered a similar wave of indignation.
Almost immediately after the trailer’s release, corners of the internet lit up with anger. The target? Prince Adam’s pronoun-bearing nameplate. The same Prince Adam who transforms into He-Man. I mean, the irony is thick enough to spread on toast.
Is He-Man woke now?
Let’s be reasonable: we haven’t seen the movie, directed by Travis Knight. Maybe the “He/Him” on Adam’s nameplate is simply a nod to his dual identity, a subtle wink to fans who are in on the joke. Perhaps it’s not that deep. Maybe Adam is just a regular guy who understands the importance of respecting others. I seriously doubt the woke agenda has made it all the way to Eternia.
Rage Bait and Online Grifts
The pearl-clutching over this moment is peak internet silliness. This whole thing feels like deliberate rage bait—a shiny lure dangled in front of those who are always searching for something to be furious about. The internet has become a hall of mirrors, reflecting back our own biases and anxieties.
The outrage is so predictable, it’s practically a business model. Stir up controversy, generate clicks, profit. It’s cynical, sure, but effective. It’s the internet’s version of a snake oil salesman.
What does woke even mean?
“Woke” is one of those terms that has become so overused and misused that it has almost lost all meaning. Once a signal of social awareness, it has mutated into a catch-all insult hurled at anything that challenges the status quo. So, is He-Man woke now? Maybe. Maybe he just wants everyone to feel respected, regardless of how they identify.
Pronouns: A New Culture War Battleground?
This manufactured controversy is a perfect example of how easily things can get blown out of proportion online. What should be a simple act of courtesy—respecting someone’s pronouns—has become a symbol of division.
The new Masters of the Universe movie features a hero with pronouns. I, for one, am here for it, especially if it means watching the outrage machine sputter and fume. But, with She-Ra on the horizon, are we ready for the sequel?
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