Let’s Digress about the Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Racism
We just finished watching Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. I have some thoughts and questions.
Firstly, it was incredibly well made, especially for being a Marvel product. #TeamSnyderDC
Secondly, assuming they make another season, I doubt I’ll watch it.
I kind of expected Marvel to get silly with their storyline and character development because they’ve been headed in a notably more progressive political direction ever since Civil War was released. However, I didn’t quite expect them to play the race card this way.
Spoilers ahead.
In episode 6, Sam, the Falcon, picks up the shield and becomes the new Captain America. After all the fighting and whatnot is over, he gives an emotional and dramatic speech to some recently un-kidnapped senators and government people.
During his speech, he kind of passively advocates that the government should support everyone with housing, food, money, etc., which has its own issues. But more importantly, he goes on to say that because he’s a black man who picked up the shield and is carrying the Stars and Stripes for all of America, that means millions of people actively hate him for it just because he’s black and a isn’t a blonde-haired, blue-eyed white guy.
I have a problem with that. The whole show has had an element of anti-American sentiment, but this is what put me over the edge.
Personally, I don’t think America has that many racists in it. Having worked in EMS for just over a decade, I’ve talked to a lot of people. Some of them have been genuinely terrible and awful. A handful have been legitimately racist toward my white self and my non-white partners. But in a country that has lots of non-white people elected into various political offices, a country that currently has a black Vice President, a country that had a black neurosurgeon run for the presidency and nearly win even after being raised in poverty, a country that elected a black man to the most powerful office in the world twice…I just don’t think it’s logical or intellectually consistent to believe the United States has that many legitimately racist people in it.
So, my question for Sam is this: Who hates you because you’re black?
Sure, America is a big place and has some terrible people in it who believe terrible things, but I’m not convinced there are millions of people who just absolutely hate black people, especially if that person happened to be Captain America.
I guess my question is more for the broader population, particularly the ones who spout that there are millions of racist, black-hating people: Who?
I’m not talking about that one person who said a race-neutral unkind thing that you took offense at because you happen to be of a particular skin color.
I want you name someone specific who said they dislike you explicitly because of your skin color.
Go ahead, I’ll wait.
…Anyway, back to Marvel. As sad as I am to say it, this show and all others like it are what’s wrong with our current cultural situation. People watch, are entertained, and then believe what’s said because 1) it’s catered to elicit those particular emotions from the viewers, and 2) Captain America said it, and if he said it, then it must be true.
Racism is abhorrent. People who believe racist things are abhorrent and also stupid. Believing that a particular group of people are inherently less valuable because of their skin color is one of the most offensive things I can think of and is an affront to God Himself (because we’re all made in his image).
Similarly, I think for someone to make blanket statements and accusations that people are racist without supporting evidence is just as bad as the racist person themself. Labeling someone, or groups of people, as racist is a heavy thing to do and shouldn’t be done flippantly.
Words matter, even if they come from a fictional superhero who has good intentions.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Opinions?
Comment below or shoot an email to Adam@LetsDigress.com.
And please, be kind and grammatically decent. This is a family website.
https://townhall.com/columnists/thomassowell/2013/07/09/who-is-racist-n1636228
Oh yeah, the season was riddled with racist propaganda. Let’s not forget that bizarre scene outside Isaiah’s house where police pull up out of nowhere and want Sam’s identification while asking Bucky if he’s being bothered by Sam. And Isaiah himself was incredibly focussed on race, constantly pushing the idea that his problems in life stemmed from a racist US Government.
I’ll be watching Loki next and I hope the writers focus more on character development and a good plot and leave their left wing beliefs by the wayside.
Hey! Thanks for reading!
Right! I found the whole season to be irritating and kind of lazy with plot development. I just started watching Loki, too. I’m only a couple of episodes in so far but I’m not impressed yet.