Marvel's Black & Minority Characters: Roundtable Discussion

[Lightning Strykez!]

I think Lightning needs to write another great essay, asking more questions.

I don't know about "another great essay" per se, but let me ask you all this:

What do you guys think of the recent pairing between Storm and T'Challa in the comics? Does it reek of Easy-Bake Solution to you?

Thus far, according to the writers Storm's relationships with black characters have been the most poorly recieved by fans. Her tryst with white or non-black characters i.e. Forge, Wolverine, Cable, etc. have been more warmly welcomed. In fact, it appears that X3 will have her involved with the franchise's other big star Wolverine. Why is that? Why does the sense of interest die when she's not in an interracial relationship?

And does this underscore a larger social issue among white comic fans? Feel free to discuss.

 

[terry78]

Because the white fanboys can't fantasize about being with her if she's with a black character. That sounds kinda stupid, but ponder it.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

Because the white fanboys can't fantasize about being with her if she's with a black character. That sounds kinda stupid, but ponder it.

Do you think it stops at the just fantasy though? I sometimes wonder if it's rooted even deeper along the lines of taboo. It's no revelation that Black Women have been desired by White Men, just as Black Men have coveted the White Woman. Although we have more sophisticated terminologies today, the basic fundamental remains.

And I often wonder if the reason for the lukewarm response to Storm's involvement with powerful male characters of color (i.e. a King like T'Challa) is because some feel that black-on-black love in comics is mundane, ordinary, even uninteresting. Whereas interracial relationships are considered to be pushing the envelope more.

 

[Arach Knight]

The social implications behind Storm's interracial relations can be viewed in numerous ways. The first logical conclusion drawn, could stem from a social view. Changes have occured in social structures that allow for growth in the number of interracial relationships that exist today. If I am not mistaken, California only appealed the illegal status of interracial marriage, in the mid to late 1950's. With that in mind, we can see that interracial relationships are still a burgeoning trend and not a pedestrian occurence. With a minority status still defining interracial relations, Storm's current partners may be a reflection of this changing value.


The second possible perspective, is one taken from a trendy aspect. For some time, interracial relationships were highly exposed in popular media. Films like Parriah and Jungle Fever examined the often "forbidden" side to an interracial relationship. Television shows like The Jeffersons also explored the "undesired" side to an interracial relationship. Even Wonder Woman has had feelings for a man of "color" in the past. Though homosexuality is the current trendy social statement in the media, interracial relationships have never fully left the public eye. This could be a return to a former trend, in the hopes of raising social conciousness.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

You're right Arach. And Wonder Woman wasn't the only one to have a thing for a black character. The Fantastic Four's Invisible Woman bombshell also had a tryst with The Black Panther...and she was yet married to Reed at the time.

 

[terry78]

Does that mean we're a threat?

 

[Zoken]

Personally I feel that interracial relationships and friendships are actually hindered by the sort of spotlight they get. People show it like this and more often then not people don't think "They have a point" they think "Thats more hassel than its worth". also it stereotypes both sides. I just think that any realtionship shouldn't be treated as "interracial" and just a relationship.

 

[spider-jide]

I just think that any realtionship shouldn't be treated as "interracial" and just a relationship.

I completely agree. Unfortunately, society is far too ignorant to understand that logic.

 

[Zoken]

society is far to ignorant to understand logic, full stop.

 

[terry78]

Well, we all have that one relative that's against IR relationships. And if you don't know one, you're probably the one. (cliche BET Comic View line)

 

[Angry Sentinel]

As Terry said earlier, This may sound stupid, but realistically I dont give D##m when Brad Pitt boinks Angelina Jolie, or Rachel whatever! But let him pull up on Halle Berry, Garcias Beauvais, or the like. It would grab my attention. Not just because it's so taboo, but also because An African American is INVOLVED in it. We put ourselves in every aspect of our lives. And it's only after real thought or effort are we able to look at something objectively(or as an impersonal third party). If African Americans were the "majority" in America, then there would be more characters written about them and for them. There would be more tv shows, movies, presidents, head coaches, news, etc... Some issues arent so much a matter of racism, moreso (or firstly) a matter of "me"ism!

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

Does that mean we're a threat?

To some I'm sure we are....

You know, I was watching PBS the other night and they had a special that revisited the O.J. Simpson trial--and the impact it had on whites and blacks. Did anyone else catch this?

Anyway, the broadcast was very interesting, as it pointed out that for as much as we *think* things have gotten better, we've made very, very little progress. And it was all about race: In other words, if O.J. had killed a Black woman that trial wouldn't have gotten half the publicity. If it had been a black man killing a black man--again, no big deal.

But let it be a black man killing a white woman...now that's taboo--and newsworthy. And she was blonde too? Hell, that's the real forbidden fruit.


So people today are not as open to Interracial relationships as we like to kid ourselves into believing.

 

[spider-jide]

Unfortunately that is so true.

 

[tamron]

IMHO, OJ was about race, but it was also about image. Look at Jayson Williams. Former NBA All-Star with the NJ Nets, he killed a man with a shotgun 'on accident'. No where near as much coverage as OJ. Kobe Bryant, accused of raping, and at the very least, guilty of sleeping with, a white woman, no where near as much pub as OJ. Why?

Because OJ "acted white." He dated white women exclusively before Nicole, and still does. He shunned the stereotype of a 'black athlete.' OJ spoke proper, voted Republican, got admittance into nearly all-white golf clubs, and carried himself mannerably, parlaying that into commercials, announcer gigs, movie roles. So as soon as there was even a chance to bring him down, it was jumped on and capitalized, to show that at the end of the day, nothing you can do can help escape your blackness.

Kobe and Jayson act more 'black' than OJ ever did, which is why though both of them fell from grace, it was no where near as swift or hard.

 

[Guyverjay]

What exactly is "acting black"??

 

[spider-jide]

Kobe and Jayson act more 'black' than OJ ever did, which is why though both of them fell from grace, it was no where near as swift or hard.

They didn't act more black, they just weren't frontin' about who they really are, which is something that cant be said for OJ.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

They didn't act more black, they just weren't frontin' about who they really are, which is something that cant be said for OJ.

Says who? A black man can't dress and speak properly and date outside his race? Why is it that a black male HAS to have his pants saggin, talking loud slang, "thugged out" and rude to qualify as "black", while an articulate, sophisticated, educated black man has to be "frontin'"?

That makes no sense to me whatsoever.

Just because a black male has the ability to "cross over" and appeal to people of different cultures doesn't qualify him as a "wannabe white" sell-out, "gay" or any other negative sterotype heaped on by jealous African Americans who can't cope in the White Man's world.

And yes, you've struck a nerve.

 

[chamber-music]

I agree with lightning strikes there is no ACTING BLACK as everyone is different and an individual your saying OJ was NOT acting black means he was not the sterotypical Black person. It also sounds like your saying accusations of rape and murder is a part of being black.

 

[Arach Knight]

They didn't act more black, they just weren't frontin' about who they really are, which is something that cant be said for OJ.

That statement held a monumental degree of ignorance. Not to say that I don't believe in the existence of the black stereotype. There is a large portion of the African American community that further spurns on this stereotype. This would include popular hip hop artists, some sports stars and some actors. But not every black man is the victim of unintelligble language, poor fashion choices, "hood rich/ghetto fab" lifestyles. Some of us prefer to adhere to academics. Some of us find worth in exercising our intellect. And some of us keep it more real then half the people who say they "act black." Truth be told, most people who think they act black, couldn't even tell you the first thing about what black really is. Go ask some thug who Fred Hampton is. He may get lucky on Huey P. Newton, but he probably won't have a clue about Fred Hampton. As them about Brown vs. Topeka Kansas. See how "real" they keep it on our history. The only people who "front" being black, are the same ones who refer to each other with a word that has the deepest racist sentiment. The people who think being ignorant is more prized than being intelligent. If life were like Save The Last Dance, i'd much rather be Sean Patric Thomas than Fredro Starr...

 

[Blade_fan1911]

Says who? A black man can't dress and speak properly and date outside his race? Why is it that a black male HAS to have his pants saggin, talking loud slang, "thugged out" and rude to qualify as "black", while an articulate, sophisticated, educated black man has to be "frontin'"?

That makes no sense to me whatsoever.

Just because a black male has the ability to "cross over" and appeal to people of different cultures doesn't qualify him as a "wannabe white" sell-out, "gay" or any other negative sterotype heaped on by jealous African Americans who can't cope in the White Man's world.

And yes, you've struck a nerve.

Thank you, just because you don't want to talk like an idiot that instanly makes someone a "sell-out". In fact i never understood why education isn't stressed enough. Instead stuff like "acting black" is.

 

[Zoken]

why must a person "act black" or "Act white" or "act whatever". why must we be confined to such simplistic roles. the truth is that the stereotypes of each race's place is being outlined more and more people people OF THAT RACE. blacks who believe that they are supposed to sound a certain way and act in a certain manner only help those idiots who are stupid enough to still cling to detrimental racisms.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

why must a person "act black" or "Act white" or "act whatever". why must we be confined to such simplistic roles. the truth is that the stereotypes of each race's place is being outlined more and more people people OF THAT RACE. blacks who believe that they are supposed to sound a certain way and act in a certain manner only help those idiots who are stupid enough to still cling to detrimental racisms.

Exactly! It just encourages them. Ignorance begets ignorance. That's about as stupid as trying to determine if a person is "black enough" based on how dark their complexion is. As someone who's father is white and mother is black, I can tell you all that people actually have told me I'm "not black enough".


I'm like, "What does that mean?"

 

[Zoken]

My cousin had never mentioned anything like that to me. he just likes being able to call himself the "token Black Guy." he finds it hilarious. and if anyone doesn't "act black", its him. he's into anime, plays Yu-Gi-Oh cards and listens to O-Town.

 

[terry78]

My cousin had never mentioned anything like that to me. he just likes being able to call himself the "token Black Guy." he finds it hilarious. and if anyone doesn't "act black", its him. he's into anime, plays Yu-Gi-Oh cards and listens to O-Town.

Hell, there are a lot of white dudes that wouldn't listen to O-Town. I listen to hip hop and jazz mostly though i do enjoy a few rock cuts on occasion. I was bumping some in the car one day and my cousin is like, "why you got that white music on, dude?" I was like, number one, black people invented rock, and number two, there's no such thing.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

I'm surprised that Jide didn't come back?