Why Stan Lee's Comments On Spider-Man's Ethnicity And Sexuality Are Problematic
Start writing a post
popular

Why Stan Lee's Comments On Spider-Man's Ethnicity And Sexuality Are Problematic

Who are you to tell me how my favorite superhero should be?

3784
Why Stan Lee's Comments On Spider-Man's Ethnicity And Sexuality Are Problematic

Toby McGuire, Andrew Garfield, Tom Holland. What do all these actors have in common? They're white, straight and have all played the comic book character Spider-Man (Holland will play Spider-Man in the third Captain America film in 2017). Now this is no coincidence. According to Spider-Man creator, Stan Lee, this is how Spider-Man must always be.

Last week, Sony emails were leaked that revealed licensing agreements with strict guidelines regarding what our favorite webbed crime fighter must look like.

"Unsurprisingly, the agreement stipulates Spidey must be male and that he doesn’t torture, needlessly kill, use foul language, smoke, abuse alcohol or have sex before the age of 16, according to copies of the e-mails," says Washington Postreporter Michael E. Miller. "More controversially, however, the agreement says Spider-Man’s alter ego, Peter Parker, must be “Caucasian and heterosexual.”

As if the situation couldn't get any worse, Stan Lee weighed in on the controversy. Lee addressed why Spider-Man's appearance should never change in an interview with Newsarama.

“I think the world has a place for gay superheroes, certainly,” Lee said when addressing why Spidey should stay heterosexual. “But again, I don’t see any reason to change the sexual proclivities of a character once they’ve already been established. I have no problem with creating new, homosexual superheroes.”

When explaining why Spidey should stay white, Lee had a little more to say.

“It has nothing to do with being anti-gay, or anti-black, or anti-Latino, or anything like that,” Lee said. “Latino characters should stay Latino. The Black Panther should certainly not be Swiss. I just see no reason to change that which has already been established when it’s so easy to add new characters. I say create new characters the way you want to. Hell, I’ll do it myself.”

If you're like me, you're probably hella confused right now. Stan Lee is basically saying that we should stick to the status quo when it comes to our superheroes, and the only way to get a new variety is to invent new ones.

Clearly he doesn't understand the gravity of statements like that. While you are the creator of Spider-Man (and a hundred other superheroes who I personally love), I have to say Stan that you are in the wrong here. Let me tell you why.

Creating separate, and frankly less popular, characters when you need to represent another ethnicity solves nothing. In fact, it gives off the illusion like you are pushing race issues to the side. I mean let's not have to bring up the great Donald Glover Spider-Man debacle of 2014.

We are in a nation of change, just in case you didn't know. We have an African American president. Gay marriage was legalized in all 50 states. We can handle change, and as long as we pay to keep seeing your movies, you shouldn't be so close-minded when it comes to giving it to us.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

93650
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments