shouldn't there be more supermen from ethnic minorities?

The fact that people can't see the contradictions behind their own arguments bothers me in this thread......

What's wrong with having a character such as Superman being black/asian/latino/etc? I have yet to read any reason as to why it would be done for the wrong reasons..other than the "political correctness" argument.. which is a close minded assumption unto itself...

What would happen if we were introduced to a Kryptonian..who was not of the Caucasian/Eastern Euro physical standard? Why would one immediately assume that it would be done for the sake of political correctness...and why would it matter? The automatic assumption of "political correctness" is just as silly as saying that one has to have a "non-white" Superman..

Another thing that bothers me is the fact that many of the people who post in this thread fail to see that many of the non-white characters they mentioned...are almost always represented by some sort of racial/ethnic stereotype..

In a world where we have women and minorities as doctor's, lawyers, world leaders, etc..the best we can do to represent them is by creating characters like Cage...(a former criminal)..Silver Samaria(the name says it all..)....Thunderbird(An American Indian who wheres a headress).......etc..etc...I mean come on..non-whites/women usually have some sort of stereotypical origin in their stories..and the fact that no one on this thread has even picked up on this is really disturbing...

I always thought it would be cool to have maybe a hispanic Superman. Maybe make Wonderwoman Afro-American.

The political correctness argument holds no water.

Originally posted by speiderman
The political correctness argument holds no water.

Dude your absolutely correct...some of the stuff that people spew out..for cripes sake..they don't even realize how foolish they come across..but I guess what the wise man once said rings true.......ignorance is bliss...

What's wrong with having a character such as Superman being black

Because black people are black to protect them from the sun in Africa, and Superman absorbs sunlight, and thus would never develop protective pigmentation. I know that answer's over-specific, but it was the first thing that sprung to mind when I read the first post.

are almost always represented by some sort of racial/ethnic stereotype..

I don't agree with you that we could use more minority characers. But something you might not have considered is that a great many of the major white characters are also represented by various stereotypes; we have a millionaire play-boy, a small-town farm-boy, and a warrior princess as DC's big three. Then we had the heroic pilot, a group of heroic explorers, an ace police detective ... do any of these things sound particularly revolutionary or unique to you? Of course they're not--they're completely stereotypical roles.

Originally posted by Gregory
Because black people are black to protect them from the sun in Africa, and Superman absorbs sunlight, and thus would never develop protective pigmentation. I know that answer's over-specific, but it was the first thing that sprung to mind when I read the first post.

The saddest thing about your response is the fact that you automatically assumed that I was referring to having a "black" person represent a Kryptonian...when I clearly mentioned in the previous post that any ethnicity/racial group(other than white) could be used...I'd be interested to see your response as to why the ethnic/cultural/geographic features of Asians, Indians, or Latinos, could not be represented as Kryptonian..care to enlighten me?

.....Anyway...from a scientific standpoint..your argument of "Superman/Kryptonians should be white because he needs to absorb sunlight" makes absolutely no "scientific" sense...

The fact that Kryptonians utilize more UV rays than humans would actually support one's argument as to why they should be people of color....seeing as how people of darker complexions(and more pigmentation) are able to "absorb" more UV rays than those of a lighter complexions..

I don't agree with you that we could use more minority characers.

That's okay..I don't agree with you either...and once again your making broad assumptions that have no basis to them.

Never have I stated that comics need more minority characters my friend..Quite the contrary, I specifically stated that comics need more "diversity" amongst minority/female characters..."diversity" that doesn't represent society's "stereotypical" views of them...

Case in point the examples that you gave...help to further illustrate my position..

we have a millionaire play-boy, a small-town farm-boy, and a warrior princess as DC's big three. Then we had the heroic pilot, a group of heroic explorers, an ace police detective ...

Why is it that caucasians..can be used to represent a multitude of different people from different walks of life. While non-whites are generally represented as characters that are deemed to fit their "racial" profiles...

It's possible for Asians, Indians, Africans, and Latinos to all fill these various positions in society is it not? Than how come we don't see them in these positions often within the comics?

To simply put it..

Not all Asians should come across as Karate/Martial Arts based characters..
Not all Native Americans should be Mystic Shamans or Chieftans...
Not all blacks should be former criminals or from African Tribes...

As you had previously asked me..let me now ask you...

do any of these things sound particularly revolutionary or unique to you?

whodamandog, are you a lecturer or a Lawrence Fishburne character? Man, you sound very deep! Wanna forma comic book? I write and draw and generally want to start a small international comic book that speaks for all people and is very deep. I'm hoping to make a film this year or next so feel free to cantact me! Word up!

The world is changing and I wanna change with it! Love and nothing but love!

The saddest thing about your response is the fact that you automatically assumed that I was referring to having a "black" person represent a Kryptonian...when I clearly mentioned in the previous post that any ethnicity/racial group(other than white) could be used...I'd be interested to see your response as to why the ethnic/cultural/geographic features of Asians, Indians, or Latinos, could not be represented as Kryptonian..care to enlighten me?

Yeh, I "automatically assumed" it. That's why I carefully took your mention of the other ethnicities out of your post so that I'd only be responding to the one where my answer applied. In response to your question, it's stupid enough that an alien from a distant galaxy looks exactly like a Caucasion male; having other aliens from the same planet who happened to look exactly like humans from other cultures would just take an already stupid situation and make it worse, in that the ludacrous nature of the situation would immediately go from hard to impossible to ignore.

I meant to say that I don't dis agree with you that we could use more minority characters. Freududian slip? You make the call, but you don't need to tell me what you decide. And since that evidently wasn't what you were saying, it probably doesn't make much difference. I don't disagree with the idea that we could use more diversity in the minority characters, either.

Originally posted by Gregory
Yeh, I "automatically assumed" it. That's why I carefully took your mention of the other ethnicities out of your post so that I'd only be responding to the one where my answer applied.

That's a pretty bad assumption on your part...particularly since you just admitted to omitting out the "other ethnicities" in the post...

In response to your question, it's stupid enough that an alien from a distant galaxy looks exactly like a Caucasion male; having other aliens from the same planet who happened to look exactly like humans from other cultures would just take an already stupid situation and make it worse, in that the ludacrous nature of the situation would immediately go from hard to impossible to ignore.

Let me get this straight..basically what I think your trying to say is since the "ethnic" standard of Krypton has been established..we shouldn't change it......

This is a common argument that I hear from most arguing your positions...the problem with this logic is that many believe that caucasian physical attributes are the norm in everything that makes up intelligent life....even when facts/logic directly show this assumption as not being valid...

By using your rationale..I could just as easily justify that whites shouldn't be shown as rappers, martial arts experts, or basketball players....based on the "ludacrous nature of the situation"

However we all know that caucasians have been represented using these personas. With the proceeding statement being accurate..please tell me why then it is "ludacrous" to use non-whites to represent characters in a similar fashion?

Case in point...it wouldn't be any more silly to believe a "black/asian/indian" Kryptonian..seeing as how a white has already been used to represent one..and remember...these are comic books after all....and the concept of "suspension of disbelief" still applies...

I meant to say that I don't dis agree with you that we could use more minority characters. Freududian slip? You make the call, but you don't need to tell me what you decide. And since that evidently wasn't what you were saying, it probably doesn't make much difference. I don't disagree with the idea that we could use more diversity in the minority characters, either.

Well it's good to see we agree upon something...😎

Even though the Kryptonians were all basically pale in skin and essentially classified as a "caucasian" in our eyes doesn't necessarily mean they were mixed in their own regard. It will be much like the elves in the Lord of the Rings who are pale in skin and predominantly have blonde hair, but they were not all the same.

you saying it could have been some...how can I put this...nergo kryptonians?

If your going to try to be funny and witty..at least spell the word right...
it's N-E-G-R-O...

Anyway..it's obvious that most in this thread have a "groupthink" mentality..seeing as how the only arguments I've heard against "non-white" Kryptonians have been..

a. It would be done for the sake of "political correctness"
b. Caucasian is the basic physical human standard..and it should stay that way..

Does that pretty much sum everyone's points up?

Anyway..you all do have the right to believe what you wish..but you might want to re-evaluate the logic behind your positions..seeing as how the later of the two arguments was used to justify segregation/slavery/and many other racist beliefs/idealogies...

The purpose of not totally agreeing to a change based on physical appearance for a race such as Kryptonians is the strong familiarity brought to this civilization who has been long deceased. Saying that a different group existed would require detail, such as a group living in a different region that Superman's people did not associate with, inherit environmental differences on Krypton, or divisions that were evolved much like the scenario brought on inhumans.

Writers have compensated for additions in the past by using alternate realities (i.e. Heather Hudson in Exiles), or possibly create another society altogether that made contact.

The society on Earth in slightly more recent times added the group Neo, which basically came out of nowhere to add to the existing list of homo-sapiens, homo-superiors, Externals, Eternals, Inhumans, etc. As it's in current time, it's easier to expand on a reason.

If the Kryptonians are to be more diversified, I can see something revolve around on the basis as what the Ultimates series did for Marvel, but normal continuity is another matter.

Originally posted by whobdamandog
If your going to try to be funny and witty..at least spell the word right...
it's N-E-G-R-O...

Anyway..it's obvious that most in this thread have a "groupthink" mentality..seeing as how the only arguments I've heard against "non-white" Kryptonians have been..

a. It would be done for the sake of "political correctness"
b. Caucasian is the basic physical human standard..and it should stay that way..

Does that pretty much sum everyone's points up?

Anyway..you all do have the right to believe what you wish..but you might want to re-evaluate the logic behind your positions..seeing as how the later of the two arguments was used to justify segregation/slavery/and many other racist beliefs/idealogies...

what the f*ck?

how big is the chip on your shoulder?

nobody believes caucasians are naturally better, this aint the 50s, so watch your mouth... its insulting to think you'd sit on your high horse and generalise about us without actually reading our posts... i find it deeply offensive that you would even suggest that i would think that way...

as for political correctness... yes there is a massive element of it in todays society, i personally don't want to see comics submit to the same bullshit...

i have no problem with different ethnicities being represented in comics, in fact i encourage it, but it should be done properly.

if i'm a writer with marvel and i create a character who i see as caucasian, blonde and with blue eyes shouldn't i keep him the way i prefer?

stereotyping is wrong, i agree 100%, but you have to remember most of the characters were created in an age long gone.

If you want to go create a strong character who happens to be asian, black or white, then great, but the character must come first, skin colour shouldn't matter in their development...

Originally posted by dami wilson
I never said they should do that! Never said it and wont say it! If you dont understand my mail, dont read it! I wondered why there weren't other heros from other countries and that includes other white populated countries dumnb ass. Yeah, I said minorities but caucausians are not the biggest population on earth in case you haven't got your statistics well! The chinesse and the indians are! What I meant was why are they all American? Ok some dude said I should go to another country and buy theirs! But isn't America struggling to spread the message of democracy to the rest of the world? Dont they have Chinese, Indian, British , French (they got Gambit in Marvel) and so many other ethnic people from Europe (the Irish, Italian and so on) living in the US?

I meant most of the heroes are all Americans and white Americans but when they now send soldiers to places like Iraq, I'll tell you they got all races there! Two of my cousins are in IRAQ fighting for the US govt dog and I pray they're still alive! And they aint white! They are proud to fight for their nation just like every other American! The comics should reflect that more! If they do , cool, dont give me grieve with your low IQ! Stuff it up your intellectual thinking pad! Hey, Marvel and DC sell in every nation around the world! Europe too! So why dont they just seel in the US if you want me to go to other countries to find a european superhero! They sell all over the world? Dont they? dont pep talk me dog! Some of you guys just fail to read the emails well then get all confused!

Are you even reading your own thread? People have put up huge lists of characters from Marvel AND DC who are of other ethnicities. African Americans, Asians, Indians (both Native Americans and characters from India) and MANY eauropean ethnicities are represented in Marvel alone.

Also, there will never be an indian or latino or asian Kryptonian. Wanna know why? BECAUSE THAT IS ALL EARTH TERMINOLOGY. There is no India or Asia on Krypton, it was a whole other planet! You want a black skinned Superman? Fine, but don't expect him to go around reminiscin' 'bout growin' up in da Kryptonian ghettos, yo. And don't expect a lightly tan colored Superman with almond shaped eyes to have trouble pronouncing his R's and eat a lot of rice.

With the exception of Sentry and Apollo, almost all superman types came from OTHER PLANETS, so the best you can hope for is different skin colors. You are never going to have Kryptonian or guardian of the Shiar Empire who represents EARTH BASED CULTURES, not matter their skin pigmentation.

you saying it could have been some...how can I put this...nergo kryptonians?

what the f*ck?
how big is the chip on your shoulder?

You want a black skinned Superman? Fine, but don't expect him to go around reminiscin' 'bout growin' up in da Kryptonian ghettos, yo. And don't expect a lightly tan colored Superman with almond shaped eyes to have trouble pronouncing his R's and eat a lot of rice.

I've always noticed that when people have nothing valid left to state..and when they've been proven wrong...they always end up throwing insults. I have nothing else to write..because you all have essentially validated all my arguments with your senseless/illogical/contradictory/racist rantings....its quite sad...but hey you do have the right to believe what you want..this is a free world that we live in (at least most of it is)...

Cheers...

thats a major cop out, i made a valid argument and you didn't even bother to answer...

you suggested we were racist, i responded...

who was flinging insults first?

Originally posted by whobdamandog
I've always noticed that when people have nothing valid left to state..and when they've been proven wrong...they always end up throwing insults. I have nothing else to write..because you all have essentially validated all my arguments with your senseless/illogical/contradictory/racist rantings....its quite sad...but hey you do have the right to believe what you want..this is a free world that we live in (at least most of it is)...

Cheers...

Actually my points, while put into somewhat harsh language, are very valid. Why don't you stop playing the victim and respond to them? My point is that people are complaining about his skin color. If Superman acts white, it's because he was raised by white people. If his skin had been pitch black or slightly reddish or mildly tanned, so long as he was raised out on the Kent farm by Ma and Pa Kent, he would act white.

You aren't going to have a Kryptonian who represents one earth culture or another because of the color of his skin, because he isn't even human. If Clark had landed in Japan, he would speak Japanese. If he'd landed in Cuba, he'd speak spanish and be a communist.

Are you so racist that the sight of caucasian skin revolts you to the point of demanding irrational things like Supermen of different ethnicities?

WHY SHOULD i DO THAT? i HAVE RISKED MY LIFE DEFENDING WHITE BOYS ( twice actually) from being beaten up and their head being kicked like a football! I support all races. Last month in a bus stop, I stepped in to stop a black (mixed race girl) and her black friends (15 to 17 years old) from beating up an old white homeless lady. I and another mixed race gal stood by to protect her from futher abuse when she shouted for help. I was so angry I was willing to hit a woman with maximum force if need be to protect this old homeless lady. Icalled the security there and demanded they call the police which they couldn't as the old lady refused to press charges! I am not racist! I have kids born by a white lady but I believe in society changing!

It's true that everybody tkae to the caucasian race as being superior that you get other races striving to imitate them and marry them and diss themselves. Comics played a large part in my childhood!

SOCIETY FRAMES CHILDREN'S MINDS AND WHEN they read stories like this even though the world is changing, writers have to enlighten! I dont read all these other characters you've pointed out cus they're not that popular! Even when they made Iron man black, it looked fake! Cus we all knew the original! I dodnt want anybody to be politically correct, just to wise up that society is changing even from the 50's and 60's!

These world is fu..ked up anyway and that's why we have global wraaming and chaos having left and center! Tsunami, Tornadoes and whatever! And this is just the begining, I dont want to go religious here but this world is doomed anyway! So I aint bothering about the race issue! Look at the war going on!

I AM JUST SAYING..................AS TIME IS Changing, are writers of these medium changing too? I agree with some of what wahtdamandog says because even the white dudes are all american yet it's one world!
The internet has brought us all closer together! PLanes and other forms of transport and yet even sucha small thing as a comic can't reflect this?

No wonder they killed supermna huh? Compare the numbers sold now to then. Why do Spiderman and The Xmen are popular now? They're underdogs!