"Everything I do, I do it for her, I do it for him"
"Don't forget about yourself, Pearl"
"I do it for me!"
This is a short (if to say) conversation between Pearl and Steven in Steven Universe. It's a minor conversation that successfully captured my attention. A quick introduction of Pearl and Steven Universe. Steven Universe is an animated series that follows Steven Universe and the Crystal Gems (Garnet, Pearl, Amethyst, and later Bismuth, Peridot, Lapis Lazuli). A broader context should be provided on the Internet so if interested, you may search about Steven Universe. This post will focus on Pearl, more specifically, Pink Diamond's Pearl, usually known as Pearl.
In the Diamond Authority, which holds White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Blue Diamond, and Pink Diamond (now shall be referred to as White, Yellow, Blue, and Pink, respectively) as the ultimate dictators, all gems are born with a purpose. And pearls are born to serve higher-tier gems. Our Pearl (now shall be referred to as Pearl) is made to serve Pink Diamond.
Earth was assigned to Pink Diamond as her colony, whence resources would be exploited to serve other conquering missions. When Pink Diamond explored, adored, and wanted to stop extracting life on Earth, she was at loggerheads with White, Yellow, and Blue. Desperate, Pink faked her own death, transforming into Rose Quartz, falling in love with Mr. Universe, finally giving birth to Steven Universe. Throughout the entire period, Pearl was always by Pink's side, supporting her owner and later, her owner's son.
To a pearl, their feelings are inconsequential. The only emotions that matter are their masters'. This ideology could be clearly reflected through Yellow's and Blue's pearls. But the conversation at the beginning of this post tells a different story. It shows how Pearl has changed, both in learning to respect her feelings and in equalizing her position with Steven.
Pearl's changes reflect a valuable lesson. Pearl was conditioned to believe in her inferiority; in other words, she was internalized. Only when she understood that such hierarchy should not exist did she gradually learn to be herself. In our world, many of us are internalized. We believe in stereotypes, that men should not cry, that women belong to the kitchen, that children cannot understand adults' problems. We feel uncomfortable with such "sets of behaviors," but sometimes, we do not understand why such feelings arise. But that's why there are "Steven"'s, those who aspire to bring out the best in others, narrowing the distance, and uplifting those in need.
Steven makes fundamental changes not only to Pearl but also to the world he lives in. He imprints his world with positivity, confidence, and love. Be a Steven, find a Pearl. Pearl protects Steven, teaches him to grow, to protect others, to love others. And Steven? He teachers Pearl to love herself.
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