We all have been fans of Marvel and when the first Black superhero movie was announced. Nobody knew that it would become such a memorable and influential movie for not just black people but for all of us.
Since then a lot has changed and black characters are emerging everywhere but the obvious question that arises is that “Can they take the Mantle?”
This has always been fascinating to see. The portrayal of black people on screen is not critically accepted by all. The road has always been a bit bumpy and we all feel it somehow.
Should Skin Color matter for a Superhero?
This question arises when we see superheroes as the lens of humans who have some super strength or ability which makes them different from other humans. It can be anything, the ability to heal, to hear sounds of different frequencies or anything. Believe me when I say anything because comics have explored different realities of superheroes.
If we see it from the perspective of a kid, to him it shouldn’t make a difference if the hero who is saving all the people is White or Black. What matters to him is that he is risking his life to save the lives of people who he barely knows.
This is what matters at the end.
But we all know that this is not the situation actually. Why? Because the kids have been conditioned from the beginning of time that there will come a White superhero that will save the day.
We have to take into account that the situation of black people was not such that they will be the one to save someone. Their battle was different from the rest.
This is one reason why the White superhero is globally accepted.
How Black Panther change the Tide?
After the introduction of Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War. Nobody thought that the character would be getting a solo movie of its own soon. But this was a risky project from Marvel to portray a Black character as the center of a whole movie.
Not that it hasn’t been done before but it hasn’t in mainstream Hollywood and never in the Superhero genre. The significance of such a risky move became evident after the release of the movie as it garnered viewers not just from the Black community but from White community too.
Note: The intention is not to term someone as Black or White. It has been used just for a clear understanding of the audience.
It broke various records, even got Marvel an Oscar and numerous other achievements too. But one of the biggest achievements that it gave Marvel was the courage to show the reality to the audience.
How successful is The Falcon and the Winter Soldier in Expressing the Black Community?
We all wanted to know the reality because after the whole Black Lives Matter, we know the reality is not as pleasant as we thought it is. The divide is still there between the Black and the White and we are unable to see it in the Mainstream.
One thing that is evident from the Black Lives Matter movement is that we need the Black representatives at places where the decisions are made. We should aim for the law makers but starting with getting a good portrayal for a Black Superhero is a good start.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier stays rooted to its ground, we got to see that a black super soldier was also there in the Steve Rogers era did the same thing but on one hand where Steve was celebrated the Black super soldier was thrown into dungeons and was experimented on.
This tragedy portrays the sufferings of the Black community and their continuous effort to get what they deserve.
It also cements on the question that will this nation let a Black Man hold the Mantle?
We all know the answer that not only the nation let a Black Man take the mantle but also celebrated it.
This is the reminder that the Black Lives Matter for Marvel.
