Missandei, ‘Racism’ & Why POCs Can’t Have Gruesome Deaths in Game of Thrones

In a world that is as unforgiving as Game of Thrones, it’s a miracle that anyone has made it this far.

Throughout the series, inn keepers, librarians and actresses have had an equal chance of outliving soldiers, advisors, kings, queens or dragons.

Sadly, in last night’s episode (S8E4), we witnessed the deaths of 2 beloved characters: Rhaegal, one of Daenery’s last 2 surviving dragons, and Missandei, her right hand.

While people flocked to social media as a sort of catharsis for that dull, aching feeling I think we all felt after “The Last of the Starks”, I was surprised to see conversations turn into claims that the show was racist for the ultimate fate it bestowed upon Missandei.

To be honest, I don’t agree.

While i’ve never read the books, I do know that there are 2 important things to keep in mind about the book versus the show’s portrayal:

The slavery in the Game of Thrones books is based on that of Roman & Greek antiquity.

That is to say that skin color did not dictate who was a slave in ancient times.

It was largely based on conquest. If the Romans waged war in Gaul, Dacia, Egypt or wherever else, and happened upon people who were fair, olive, brown or black, they all had an equal chance of being killed or brought back as slaves.