We Need Black Superheroes
We can be the ones saving our community and also the world
The importance of positive role models is an age old truth. Children have impressionable minds and attach themselves to that which they are exposed to.
As a young child, like most kids, I remember animated superheroes, like Batman and Superman being a part of my life growing up. At the time I did not think about the absence of Black animated or live-action superhero tv shows and movies.
But looking back where were the Black superheroes I could role play? Neither a Black man or a woman superhero can I name from my childhood. This is disheartening as an young adult reflecting on my past.
What Society Thinks of Superheroes
We think of superheroes as symbols of goodness, strength, and justice. Who does not want to embody these characteristics of fictional characters. We root for the superhero to defeat the antagonist.
As the times has been though and still is, non-White characters are the primary representation of who can do good deeds and who can save the day.
Why We Need Black Superheroes
Media is capable of change so we have to do our best to help the next generation of Black youth have examples of Black girl and boy superheroes who look like them.
Black superheroes are not just important for the Black community, it is also important for society as a whole. Black superheroes are a stance of empowerment for the Black community and a stance to breakdown the stereotypes other racial groups have seen of the Black community depicted in media and entertainment.
We are better than being snagged in the comparison pitting. We know as the present reflects history, society’s eyes will always see the White superhero as more better than a Black superhero.
Simply revamping original White developed superheroes to Black is an insulting filler. We are not waiting for society’s approval, okay now you have the permission to remake this White superhero into a Black superhero. We know we deserve our our own original superheroes, not adaptations.
Thank You Black Creators
Thank you Black creators who are at work introducing stories we want our children to grow up seeing their complexion represented in — books, comics, tv shows, movies, video games, and more, positively.
Thank you for reading my perspective as a Black millennial woman :)
