Another question I brought up to my son about why we feel we even need
superheroes was ...Is there some ancient
"wrong" in our life that we need to make right? Do we all feel as if we
have a secret identity?
I'd like to take a minute to answer that from a completely different angle. I do think
that one of the main reasons why black artists created black superheroes was
for this very reason...they wanted to right a wrong. They saw the lack of
quality representation and decided to something about it. In the black story
lines in comics, many deal with problems young black men face in life:
racial profiling, unwed fatherhood, drug abuse, etc. As a way to release
some of this pent up anger at the state of some black communities, these
writers/artists have found their release. Sometimes things are just so darn
bad, that it seems only someone who is SUPER HUMAN will be able to make it
all better.
My son said that all kids need a fairy god parent or someone to help them dream of better days. He told me that growing up is hard enough and kids need to see superheroes battle and fight for truth and justice. This does give them some sense of good in the world. That can be a comforting thing for kids.
And in the movies...Just a quick note about some very interesting and humorous films that showcased black superheroes:
- Blank Man
starring Damon Wayans was about black superhero without a name.
- Meteor Man
was written and directed by Robert Townsend ("I'm Gonna Git You
Sucka!")
- Up, Up, and Away was also written and directed by Robert Townsend (who also
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