My Bigot-Sense is Tingling

[jimhines]

Marvel Comics has revealed the identity of the new Ultimate Spider-Man: a half-black, half-Hispanic teen named Miles Morales.

For those of you who believe racism is dead, or that the geek community is somehow accepting and welcoming and open to all, read on…

Larry Doherty of Larry’s Comics responded with the following:

You can see more of Larry’s Tweets and comments at http://graphicpolicy.com/2011/08/01/the-comicmarket-problem/ if you’re feeling masochistic. But don’t worry. Despite his “nigga” Tweet and other comments, Larry assures us that he’s not racist, and these were simply good-natured jokes. (Why can’t you people take a joke?)

Bleeding Cool News rounded up some of the comments on the USA Today article about the new Spider-Man. Please keep in mind that these are comments that weren’t removed for being too offensive. Here are a few:

That’s just dangerous. With spider powers, just think how much stuff he could steal, if he was not so lazy.

What will he say when he runs into a criminal? “Sup Foo? Dis is MY ‘hood!”

Shame on Marvel Comics! This is not diversity; this is a disgrace! Spiderman was Peter Parker, and Peter Parker was white. Create a new character if you want to prove that Marvel Comics is “diverse”. Minorities are typically less than 18% of the population, but they seem to get nearly 100% of the history. Why should white children not have a comic book hero that they can identify with?

That’s right, Marvel comics! Where are all the white heroes? Shame on you for discriminating against us poor, underrepresented white people.

Though I admit I found, “I want to see his birth certificate” amusing.

Click here to read more, if you can stomach it.

Unfortunately, these are not isolated comments. There’s much more out there along similar lines.

Don’t tell me racism is dead. Don’t tell me people are overreacting, or that this shit is just “good-natured joking.” Don’t tell me how the geek community is so much more accepting.

And circling back to Larry’s Comics, does anyone have any recommendations for comics retailers that don’t encourage racism and general douchebaggery?

Mirrored from Jim C. Hines.

Comments

[muccamukk]

There's a reason that I confine my fannishness about superhero comics to a small circle of people I know on dreamwidth and livejournal. That said, I am happy to see that the big sites like CBR and Bleeding Cool are calling out this reaction.

I've yet to run into the creepy comicbook store guy. Both stores in the last city I lived in were friendly, clean and the kind of place I could take my grandma too. Curious Comics is a family-owned chain of three stores in Victoria and Nanaimo, BC, and Legends Comics in Victoria (where I have my pull list) is run by two friendly and outgoing family men.

[jimhines]

I've seen a lot of recommendations for good, friendly, clueful comic book stores and staff, and I'd like to think Larry is on the extreme end of the douchebag bell curve. At least, that's what I'm telling myself to keep from getting even more depressed about some of the commentary...

[georgmi]

I was all going to comment over here about the cluelessness of some of the LJ comments, because I felt like I needed to say something but I don't have time for huge nasty arguments.

Then I thought, hey, I don't actually have to continue to engage if people continue clueless, and maybe somebody will see my comment and actually think about it, and anyway I should own my thoughts and words.

So I posted it over there instead. :)

[jimhines]

"Then I thought, hey, I don't actually have to continue to engage if people continue clueless..."

I wish I could remember that more often.

LJ comment notification is running on a delay, so I haven't seen your comment pop up yet.

[georgmi]

It's easier for me; this isn't my space, so I don't have to mop the floors when people crap all over them. :)