Marvel’s first black superhero was named “Whitewash” (the name speaks for itself). Whitewash was a character drawn in full blackface fashion who appeared in the 1940's war comic "Young Allies". (images -1, 2, 3) Notice a common theme in all three cover images? Created for comic effect only, Whitewash was portrayed as a helpless bufoon whose only purpose was to provide laughs as he fell into one dire situation to another. Full of the stereotypes you would expect to see at that time in American history, negative black comic characters were all too commonplace.
Black superheroes were also subject to the negative perceptions of the artists drawing them at the time and therefore a parallel can be made to struggle for equality in America. Marvel’s Black Panther appeared in 1966 (Fantastic Four #52) and wouldn’t gain his own title until 11 years later (how's that for affirmative action?). Followed by DC’s Black Lightning and Marvel’s Luke Cage, poster children for the entertainment industry’s Blaxploitation of the 70’s. Where possible I have included some images from the comics themselves depicting some of these racial situations as they appeared in print. The progress of blacks in comics has an undeniable link to our society's racial issues and I ask you to keep this in mind as we delve into the offensive nature of some of the characters.
How can a black person be white? Because they have traits stereotypically exhibited by whites? That's just silly...
Sorry if I offended, my gripe is more with Claremont's writing and portrayal of her. He first introduced her in Giant Size X-Men #1, as part of an international team. She represented Africa--more specifically Egypt I believe--although she'd lived in the U.S. for awhile, I think. However they gave her a light skin tone, blue eyes and white hair, and she was handled no differently than Jean's character, in my opinion, except that she had a different back ground, was dumb, and controlled the weather.
Both in appearance and culture, African's, African-American's, etc. are different than caucasians. Sometimes there's a vast difference, sometimes it's minute or nonexistant. I don't mean that to sound seperatist at all, difference is what makes life interesting, and I love meeting people from all different walks and facets of life, it keeps things from being tedious.
However, Storm is far from black, or African, or whatever label you wish to give her in those regards, and my gripe is that they put her in that grouping when she doesn't fully belong. My gripe is that they represented Africa, Africans, African-Americans and others in the X-Men with a character who wasn't representative of them. She was meant to appeal to white readers and be vaguely exotic, although not exotic enough to actually add any diversity to the team.
There are a few Latino and Asian superheroes. There are a good number of asian superheroes actually, most have just been forgotten. Although, stereotypically, most of them are martial arts masters.
However, have you seen any Indian (from India) heroes around lately? I can only think of one, Neal Sharaa, a mutant from Bangladesh. Yeah, they did that Spider-Man India thing, but it doesn't count. India's a sub-continent, it has millions of people living on it, in future years, as it develops--along with China--it will become a major force in the global marketplace.
Concordantly, the same is also said of Aboriginal (native Australian) heroes. I can think of one: another mutant, Gateway. Lucas Bishop is a quarter Aboriginee too, in fact Gateway is his ancestor. I realize they're in the same boat as American Indians, but geez, more than a one would be nice.
It's funny how dispraportionate the amount of American Indian heroes there are. There are more of them than Latino or black heroes, yet they, a culture and people once believed to have existed in the hundreds of thousands, now number less than one percent in the United States census, and were one to extend the census to Canada, Mexico and South America, the percentage wouldn't raise all that much. Yet we have Warpath, Thunderbird, Wyatt Wingfoot, Black Crow, Inali Redpath, Red Wolf, Dani Moonstar and more that I don't feel like looking up. And that's just from Marvel!
Originally posted by black robbIt has to do in part with the facial features. Some black people if the skin color was changed there would be no difference from a caucasian. While others even with a skin color change, due to the facial features, would not be Caucasian in appearence.
How can a black person be white?
This is made evident in the cases of albinism.
I believe the Creator of this thread was just trying to do a parody of the thread listed below.
The name says it all.."WhiteSnowAngel"
Hey mods..can you ban this user?!! I believe she's the same user who used to go by the name "WHITE RACIST CHICK"
Originally posted by black robb
I'm black and i honestly dont care...lets be honest every form of american entertainment is more or less built in the image of white america,it's not racism its just unconscious ideals. We automatically associate heroes with white men because thats what we grew up with. Sure there should be more ethnically diverse characters,but not at the expense of quality.And wasnt your old username WhiteRacistGirl? Its kinda funny since you made a thread about racism...
I give you all the Real Black robb obviously very intelligent and articulate - you have been found out Robb 🙂
Originally posted by manjaro
or nicole ritchie
she was adopted though..... 🙂
i personally try never to judge anyone by their physical appearance.... i've had that work against me so many times that i know just how sh!tty it can feel (i'm white... people catagorise me all the time because i shave my head)
Originally posted by Cosmic FlameSome people like to make mountains out of molehills . . . or flatlands . . .
What, then, constitues a "good" black superhero? What should they look like? How should they behave? With whom would they associate? What are people looking for?
It's funny too that this White- whatever the name was. . . cares enough about this to bring it up. . but some of the actutal black members on here have expressed an apathy.
Originally posted by Creshosk
Some people like to make mountains out of molehills . . . or flatlands . . .It's funny too that this White- whatever the name was. . . cares enough about this to bring it up. . but some of the actutal black members on here have expressed an apathy.
of course, we are all human... only the ignorant ones look at skin color.
it dont matta if your a jap, gook, paisan, spic, flip, charlie, frenchie, whitey, black, or a rasta.... i got luv 4 u, u are my brother.
P.E.A.C.E.2.A.L.L.