We live in a diverse world.
America has always been lauded as a "melting pot" of different cultures and ethnicities, but when it comes to the media we consume, that diversity is often nowhere to be found. Just look at the biggest action movies of the year, and you'll see a crop of stale white dudes as the heroes, while women, people of color, and lgbt characters get regulated to the sidelines if they're lucky enough to even appear.
Maybe that's why I've been so impressed with Marvel as of late. If you've been keeping up with the comics (hah, NERD) then you'll probably know what I'm talking about. If not, here's a few examples of what I mean:
Miles Morales: Spiderman
The son of African-American and Puerto Rican parents, Miles Morales is a kid from Brooklyn who also happened to be bitten by an enhanced spider. While I could go further into his background (he's actually from an alternate universe), the gist is that he's now the new Spider-Man and a key member of the Avengers.
Kamala Khan: Miss Marvel
Kamala Khan is Pakistani-American teenager who's taken on the mantle of one of Marvel's most marvelous heroes. Having a Muslim girl as the publisher's titular character is a huge deal, especially in times where Islamophobia seems to be running rampant.
Riri Williams: Iron Heart
She built her own Iron Man suit. After that, she received Tony Stark's official endorsement to become his successor. You know, how you did when you were 15.
Squirrel Girl
There's so many things to love about Squirrel Girl, but the reason she's on this list is because she shows Marvel branching out to different body types. In a world where every superhero has the chiseled body of a Greek god, it's refreshing to see one who looks like a real person! Just a person with squirrel-themed powers....and a tail....
Sam Wilson: Captain America
After the original Captain America got de-powered, it was clear that he was gonna need a replacement. It's a testament to how far Marvel's come that the leader of the Avengers and the symbol of America be an African-American. And after all, why not? That's what America should be about: celebrating our national diversity.
Over the past couple years, Marvel has put the spotlight on people of diverse ethnicities, body types, religions, and genders/sexual orientations. This is a massive step forward for an artistic medium that has always been dominated by a very male, very white demographic. I think when young people from all different backgrounds can look at these superheroes and see a bit of themselves in them, it's a step toward a better, more inclusive world.
And isn't that really what heroes are for?
Bonus: America Chavez, Miss America
An invincible, super strong, flying, Hispanic-American lesbian superhero from another dimension. What a time to be alive.
