That Reena Girl

• Um, who is this again?

08-03-11

Wait wait wait…the new Spiderman is BLACK?!

Sigh. What year is it? Really…

Yesterday Marvel Comics announced the new Spiderman will be Miles Morales, a half black, half Hispanic kid from New York. While the passing of the superhero torch has often been done – think Batman—I have never seen such controversy over a successor. Is it because readers still miss the deceased Peter Parker? Maybe, but most of the commentary seems to be focused on Miles not being white.

To be honest, it makes me sick to my stomach that this is even an issue. Yes, I’m white girl who grew up in a pretty nice town in Massachusetts but just as a decent human being I can’t tolerate this kind of senseless bigotry.

My dear friend Buffy made a great point by saying “ any time you have to preface a statement with “not racist/sexist/etc, but ____” then what you are about to say is definitely racist/sexist/etc, there’s just no way around that. “ And she’s right. Think about it.

The shock of it all is well, shocking. Of all the things that happen in comics, Spiderman being a minority is too hard to believe?! Not that kid gets bitten by a radioactive spider and then can climb up buildings, have super speed and strength, etc…that’s all totally understandable. Maybe I’m missing something. Can only white people be bitten by radioactive spiders? Do they have a pasty flesh tone preference?

Think I’m being ridiculous? This whole thing is ridiculous!

Part of what I don’t get is that people are acting like this is the first time there has been a minority superhero. Really? You don’t have to be a fan of comics to know that Storm from X-Men is most certainly black. You can’t forget Bishop if you are a fan of X-Men storylines like “Age of Apocalypse” or “Civil War” or if you ever watched the X-Men: The Animated Series version of “Days of Future Past”.

Now, let’s talk Nick Fury. He has been both white and black, the latter being portrayed by none other than Samuel L. Jackson in Iron Man, Iron Man 2, and the upcoming Avengers movie. Oh and while we’re on the subject, black Nick Fury appears in Ultimate Marvel Universe, where the new Spidey will also be, so it isn’t even the first time there is a minority character in that world!

Somehow, probably due to the ranting of conservative radio psychopath Glenn Beck, there is talk of Miles Morales also being gay. 1. Nowhere did it say he was gay. You are misinterpreting a quote from Sara Pichelli who was one of the artists that helped create the new Spiderman. And even if he was, so what? Again, not like there haven’t been gay superheroes before Northstar, and now Colossus in Ultimate Marvel Universe!).

We all miss Peter Parker. But like the saying goes, “with great power, comes great responsibility” and someone needs to carry the torch. Maybe before you state your oh-so-important opinion on Spidey’s race, remember Buffy’s tip. Oh and do your homework before you start running your mouth.

Or better yet, just don’t say anything at all.