Know what I find interesting? The way we can associate someone with something based in little details.
Take for example, how people associate Jazz with being an african american or anything along the lines because of either the skin tone of his voice actors or the way he speaks. There can easily be more reasons, but considering Prowl's 'facial plating' is darker than Jazz's in the cartoon, and yet he's almost always portayed as 'caucasian'; I doubt 'skin tone' has anything to do with why people portray holoform/human Jazz as an african american/dark skinned character.
(Also, it's my personal preference to avoid the use of 'black/white' to refer to skin tones xP I don't like to use 'white' or 'black' for skin tones merely because... people, you're either fraggin' pink, brown and any shades in between. Until you're a bird with #FFFFFF or Mr. Popo with #000000 skin, you're somewhere ranging from pink to brown. D< I dun care how you wanna call it! I ain't callin' ya Black or White!)
In a similar vein, you see often Jazz with dreadlocks. (You're never going to see me draw him with dreadlocks, even if you pay me! ...I can't draw the damn things, sorry. XD)
Now, more often than not, if you come across Japanese fanart depicting holoforms/humans, you'll see Jazz depicted either either as caucasian or dark skinned man and rarely with dreads. XD
'Nother common thing I notice is how humanized/holoform Bumblebee almost always gets blonde hair, 'cuz, ya know, he's yellow.
Now, keep in mind I am NOT DISSING these depictions. Seriously, I am not, I find many of these to be rather endearing. I just find it interesting to see how people translate a giant alien robot into a human being and how some details have to do with things we associate with the characters.
Someone mentioned they imagined Prowl with Red or White hair, and I've seen him drawn in both. Many times with some streaks or designs to bring up things like Prowl's chevron, or Movie Bumblebee's black stripes.
It's curious to notice all these things, how people associate, for example, Movie Prime's chin guard with it being a goatee, yet it's like people fail to notice Jazz does have a chin guard himself, and I've yet to see him with silver hair and a silver goatee. XD
In any case, it's an interesting thing to ponder about. Sometimes I wonder... if you didn't know where I come from and what gender am I... What would you think I am? A man? A woman? What nationality would you believe me to be? What etnicity would you think I belong to?
=w= Interesting things to ponder about, yessssss.
Watch these awesome Deviants I say! More people to be added soon.
Clubs:
Stampage:

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Datsun Brothers Fan =w= v



:thumb48999387:"In a blueberry world, in a blueberry dream, in a blueberry sky until I die."
-- Blaster
"Are your eyes showing off for mine? Your face in my hands is everything good I need."
-- Prowl








As time went on I got accustomed to the image of afro-american Jazz, even found it interesting and with a bit more Jamaican style, I really can accept it.
When somebody draw them in human/holo form, I prefer to keep their essential expressions on the face and chose colors and clothing prior to that.
anyway, it all boils down to one thing.
Opinion.
As you said, to each their own.
I have very rarely seen dark skinned people in anime or manga that could be considered truly inspired by "Black" people, and even when they are given dark skin, they are given Caucasian features.
I've heard that Asian populations have a misunderstanding of Black people anyway, due to their knowledge coming from American sources, which are quick to play on stereotypes.
/ramble
sorry for rambling
I, myself, must admit that I thought of Jazz as being african american. I guess that's just because, being from SC, the most I've encountered talked with a southern accent, and g1 Jazz just rubbed me that way... ^^U
Oops?
Ah well, I must say, though, I never thought of Prowl as having red hair... Like, seriously, I saw him with dark brown or black hair, maybe even dark blonde...
It is interesting to see how others see the TFs' holoforms.