Heroes Come in All Shades and Sizes

I've recently been observing an interesting debate/war of words going on over at Twitter. It seems ever since Marvel & Sony did the deal to bring Spider-Man into the Marvel cinematic universe, there has been a small but vocal reaction to the possibility of Peter Parker being recast as a black character (even though this hasn't even been decided... as far as I am aware). Dan Slott (one of the writers), is currently engaging these voices head-on.

Now those of you nerdy enough to be in the know, will be aware that in Marvel's Ultimate universe, there is already a black/hispanic Spider-Man called Miles Morales... and that the Nick Fury of that universe is also black (as indeed he is, in the Marvel cinematic universe), despite the fact that in the mainstream comic universe... he is white.

The future ethnic heritage of Spider-Man has recently been a matter of debate on Twitter

This is where I stand on the topic:

1. If the Spider-Man of the Marvel cinematic universe is a rebooted character then he can be of any ethnicity, it really doesn't matter... it's a fresh start and if we are honest, there is nothing, not one thing that says that Peter Parker is defined by ethnicity.
   
2. If there were any new universe versions of Spidey... they could be any ethnicity whatsoever... new universe, new rules.
   
3. If something happened in the main universe whereby the writers "did a Psylocke" or another plot along the lines of Superior Spider-Man, whereby Peter and his powers ended up in the body of somebody from another ethnic group... again, no problem... as long as the narrative gives a reasonable explanation for how the transfer happened.

I think the real reason that people are getting their webshooters in a twist is because they relate to Peter Parker as a fictional character.  They know what its like to be the nerdy kid in class who was picked on or looked over... and they fantasize about having the powers and responsibilities of Peter's heroic alter ego. All of this is fine... but we need to remember that our own relationship with a fictional character doesn't give us exclusive ownership of that character.

An important step in human maturity is developing the ability to decentralise our existence and understand that we are not the heart of the universe... and that other people have the right to appreciate the same things as us and relate to them in exactly the same way we do. This isn't something that is just restricted to the realms of fiction either. People might be quick to point out that  in the West, artistic and cinematic representation of Jesus Christ has largely been restricted to that of a white Caucasian... usually with flowing locks and blue eyes; this is despite the fact he was racially Semitic in origin. However the truth is far more kaleidoscopic and wonderfully complex than that.  If you take the time to explore other cultures where Christianity is present, you will see that Jesus is actually manifested in the dominant ethnicity of the country/region in question... and not just our own.

Rather than see different representation as a threat, isn't it better to use it to develop the commonality and empathy we share with these people and see past the superficial differences?

And ultimately in the final analysis... isn't what draws us to fictional characters like Spider-Man or real people like Jesus, the values, ethics and personality they exhibit... rather than the colour of their skin or shape of their body?

Reality Bites!

I'm not a big fan of reality TV, but I do admit it that if I am sitting twiddling my thumbs, I can be lured into watching some of the programmes.

What I have seen on Big Brother has horrified me. I resent bullying. I myself was bullied as a teenager and as such tend to stick close to the outsiders.... the people who the "popular" ones don't accept into their clique.

There is great debate at the moment as to whether or not the treatment of Shilpa Shetty is racist or not. It has caused such a furore as to have been regarded as a "diplomatic incident" between The United Kingdom and India, forcing Gordon Brown (visiting India) to try and placate the concerns of Indian politicians over the interracial attitudes of the UK.

My personal take on the debate is that whilst the motivation for the bullying is not racial (the cause is basic jealousy, fear and misunderstanding); cultural and racial stereotyping are definitely being used as offensive weapons against Ms Shetty. Racism isn't fuelling the jealousy, fear and misunderstanding... instead, those feelings are fuelling any instances of xenophobia and racism.

Either way it is an abomination and completely out of order.

Some people think that the 21,000 complainants (of which I am one), are overreacting, they say this sort of thing happens all the time regardless of race or culture... people just snipe and we should "get over it". I do not agree with this. First of all bullying is something we should all stand up to anyway, it is abhorrent by its very nature. Yet in this instance, it is as if the nation via Big Brother has held a mirror up to itself and does not like what it sees.

"If your eye offends thee... pluck it out".

I think the British public clearly want to demonstrate that the attitudes being conveyed, be they racist, ignorant, or just bullying for it's own sake... are not attitudes they wish to be associated with and so they are moving in their own way to remove the injustice they see. That is why there have been over 20,000 complaints and that is why Ms Goodie will ultimately walk on Friday. Heaven only knows what that reception is going to be like. Dare they screen it live?

My hope is that once the ringleader is gone, that good can come of this, that there can be a reconciliation between the two other offenders and Ms Shetty.

I have to say that throughout this whole debacle, Ms Shetty has to her credit demonstrated enormous restraint and dignity.

This is all however, merely a microcosm of a problem that is evident in our society. The question I ask is, if the British public are prepared to stand up for someone when they are in the public eye... will we have the courage of conviction to do likewise in the dark, when nobody bears witness to our actions?

I hope so.

Get Out of My Country!

Sounds racist doesn't it?

Depends on who you address it to though... doesn't it?

I myself to choose to yell this in the face of institutions such as the British National Party and the White Wolves. Those who would drive people into the seas on the basis of skin colour. I warn them here and now that the measure they use... will be used on them.

Would that I could silence them permanently. They use clever soundbites to capitalise on the political disaffection felt by the electorate... who feel let down over immigration issues by the major parties. They stir up dissension and hatred and to a greater extent then the major parties - play off the stupidity and ignorance of sycophantic or apathetic voters.

I'm writing all this because some moronic idiot has posted a racist slur on a newspaper delivered to one of the local shops. Oh I'm sure they are just some badly educated fool trying to have a laugh... and they don't believe what they have written (the grammar and spelling were awful), but I'm using the opportunity to spell out just how intolerant I feel towards the very existence of racist institutions.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.... I'm a pacifist... but if these sons of Satan ever got in power I'd strongly consider taking up arms against them. You can't just stand by and watch entire communities be fenced in or annihilated on the basis of their skin colour or creed.

The only people who deserve to be driven into the sea are the hatemongers who desire to do it to others.

This isn't their country - no country really belongs to any nation state, tribe or individual. In truth, there are no borders. We are merely stewards of the lands we occupy, when we die, it's someone elses turn. The only true owner of this land is Almighty God, whose signature is found in every crack in every stone... in the DNA of every living being and in the splendour and majesty of the heavenly bodies.

We are tenants and we have an obligation to God to be kind to our fellow man and tender to the planet he created... broken as it is through our own disobedience.

The way see it there are three ways of looking at the resources at our disposal:

Mine:
A selfish perspective whereby we consume everything for our own desires and pleasures, not mindful of the needs of others... making gain for gain's sake... like the rich fool who tore down his barns to make larger ones.

Ours:
A better attitude whereby we share our profits with those around us, recognising that people around us are valuable and worth looking after. It's still flawed though... who do you define as ours? Is it everyone... or is it just people around us who we care about? Even the BNP can lay claim to wanting to look after "our own". so clearly even this way of looking at things has it's drawbacks.

His:
The ultimate attitude of selflessness. By declaring everything as belonging to God, you set yourself free from the burden of your own perceptions. Who you care for is no longer determined by social class, colour, creed or mutual affection... it is determined by God's wisdom instead. The great thing is that God is gracious, he already promises and gives us more than we could hope for... and he longs to bless us. When we achieve the true state of selflessness as exemplified in Jesus, we live under the provision of the Lord of all. I ain't fully there yet... but I long to be.

Finally

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father."

What's it to be then?

Blessings

N