Nashk Tategami: I understand that fire benders are not the only ones oppressing others. I was referring to Amon's testimony of his encounter with the fire bender. My thoughts going throughout his entire testimony was, "Why would he target all benders, and not just fire benders?"
Indeed, I have given thought about the Revelation with the non-bender population in mind, and not just only Amon as to why there is hate for benders. Which is why I stated in an earlier post that the
Triple Threat Triads added fuel to the fire (and perhaps were one of the causes behind Amon's revolution) by putting a bad reputation on what Aang, Zuko and the rest of the gang did for the world.
Refer to what Amon said during the rally about bending being the root of all problems, and the reason why wars started in the first place. Though, I don't argue, he was kind of right with saying that, (he is pretty charismatic) after all, the Fire Nation did initiate the 100 year war, but to further put this into perspective, I'll make this comparison between Amon and Jet from A:TLA purely for clarity on my position.
Jet and the Freedom Fighters:When a group of fire benders (Rough Rhinos) killed Jet's parents, he sought revenge on anyone who belonged to the Fire Nation (Refer to the episode where Jet wanted to flood an entire Fire Nation colony, despite endangering innocent lives).
Amon and the Equalists:However, when a fire bender killed Amon's parents (or so he testifies), rather than seeking "vigilante justice" like Jet against fire benders, he sought revenge on all benders instead.
edit:Though I think I just realized that his testimony with the fire bender was to sympathize with those in the audience who have been discriminated against, or oppressed by other individuals of other elements other than fire benders.
I know Amon's reasons for equality is not as extreme as Jet's "vigilante" decision to wipe out an entire Fire Nation colony (including the lives of innocent children), but, I still believe that Amon and his revolution (much like Jet's reasons for seeking revenge) is doing a lot more harm than justice.
He may have done Republic City a favor by targeting the top ranking Triads by taking away the bending they utilized to extort non-benders, but what about the innocent benders who had no intentions to use their bending for wrongful and unjustified purposes?
And, more so, what about the benders that actually help contribute to the well being of the society such as, the water benders that heal, the fire benders that produce electricity for the city, or the earth benders that help build city structures?
I do, however, agree that benders have too much power, and that some have wrongfully used their abilities to oppress others, you are right about that, but I
do not agree with Amon on benders being the root of all evil. Since that seems to be his reasons in aiming for "equality." After all, not all benders are "evil" as Amon would think. Some have the choice to do good, and some have the choice to fall to corruption. (i.e. Aang vs. Ozai)
Benders have power the average person can only dream of. They use the very world around them as ammo to fight. At any time, a bender, no matter how good, could hurt someone or even kill them with barely any effort.
I agree that benders have an unlimited amount of power that non-benders could only dream of, but if there was anything that Mike, Bryan and A:TLA taught us fans,
it's that lacking in a physical/supernatural power like bending, or a physical disability (in Toph's case) does not make anyone less of a person. Just look at Teo for example, he was a non-bender who was immobilized from the waste down, yet he took stance in the 100 year war. (Did you see his glider/wheelchair? That was awesome ;D)
Also, Sokka and Suki didn't have any bending abilities either, they were non-benders who mastered their fighting skills through training and discipline (the same with benders in mastering the art of their element) in order to become fully skilled warriors, but even them being just warriors,
didn't make them any less than Aang or Katara. The same goes for Korra's generation as well.
Yes, there is a possibility that they could hurt someone, or even kill "no matter how good," but Aang still ended the 100 year war without killing Ozai in the process. Bending may have been utilized wrongfully to extort others in Legend of Korra, but honestly, oppression and discrimination isn't new to the Avatar world. Ozai's plans to form a world dominated by the Fire Nation proved just that. Even benders felt helpless under the Fire Nation's attacks, but did that mean that all people from the Fire Nation were evil? Of course not
I remember the episode in Zuko Alone where Zuko encountered a group of corrupted Earth Kingdom soldiers who were harassing the citizens of the town they were suppose to protect. They used their position of power to oppress even those who depended on their protection. I believe this is what's going on with the Triple Threat Triads (or at least it's similar).
Still, without Aang, the 100 year war would've continued under Ozai's tyranny, and Republic City would've probably ceased to exist.
Other theories regarding Benders vs. Non-benders:Perhaps another contributing factor that would result in conflict with benders and non-benders would be job placement. (In theory) It seems to me that benders have a lot of job opportunities compared to non-benders (with the exception of Hiroshi Sato). For example, positions in government like the council members or representatives and the police academy. Even minor jobs like the power plant.
I have given thought that non-benders have the opportunity of owning businesses, being merchants, artisans and such, or possibly working in the assembly line at Hiroshi Sato's Future Industries, but with the introduction of the Triple Threats in episode 1 and the encounter with the phonograph shopkeeper, proved that the non-benders needed "underground" help to keep their businesses open. So, I guess even non-benders owning businesses isn't enough opportunity in Republic City?
As the Lion Turtle said, "
The true mind can weather all lies and illusions without being lost. The true heart can touch the poison of hatred without being harmed. From beginning less time, darkness thrives in the void, but always yields to purifying light." That is where Korra as the Avatar comes in of course. (Yes, the Lion Turtle said that in response to Energybending, but I think that quote still applies here. It's an awesome quote.)
Republic City as Korra stated, was meant to be the center of peace and balance in the world, and even with Aang and Zuko's attempts to bring harmony, it just shows as someone mentioned earlier (Sorry, I forgot who ^-^" forgive me) that whether they are bender or non-bender, they're still humans. With a new generation, comes a new era of problems and obstacles (I blame the Triple Threats ^~^). Peace and harmony just won't stay consistent throughout the years, it has to be constantly worked at.
**END!**
Whew! That was a lot to go through in one day. Thanks for the great conversation nashk.
On a side note regarding bloodbending, I do believe that Katara was the only person to ever master it after Hama. Though with all the uncommon bending techniques back in the A:TLA days like mastering lightning being utilized in Legend of Korra, there is a possibility that highly skilled water benders have learned that technique as well, but I have yet to see that being used (other than Katara) against someone.
@ kaangluv: Those are some mighty fine theories. I like the idea of Amon incorporating technology in taking the Triple Threat's bending away, but we'll see if that theory is applied when the Triple Threats make another appearance. I wonder what happened to them after the Revelation?
Over all, I think that the Chakra blocking technique would be most plausible.
Thanks for the share!