Rimmon Heights Prodigal Son

Wish I could say I was shocked.  Maybe I was depending on hope….

Hope that in 2011, that a Spider-Man that was of a different ethnicity could be accepted in this world.  It’s the Ultimate univese, a different universe that’s separate from your normal 616-universe (that’s the original universe where Peter Parker has been Spider-Man as long as we all remember…).  The Ultimate universe that has killed off many iconic characters that has been reimagined.  Wolverine, Cyclops, Angel, Professor X, Magneto, Dr. Strange, Hank Pym, Black Widow, etc….

Some of these characters were presented different, like Colossus, the powerhouse of the X-men….but also a homosexual.  But with recent news of who’s replacing Peter Parker, I couldn’t believe my eyes, and I was pumped.

It’s hard not to say, it’s about time.  Cause besides seeing Storm or John Stewart, I always thought the majority of ethnic Super heroes get overlooked.  This was rumored to be a possibility, and as soon Donald Glover sparked interest as playing Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man reboot.  It might have been the launching point for Miles.  

Miles Morales, half black…half hispanic….

What can you say??  Marvel gets it, this is what today’s world looks like.  I grew up in New England my whole life.  Until my younger brother attended the same school, I was the only non white student in the school.  Today, my niece’s classroom is filled with interracial students.  It shouldn’t be pointed out, cause I feel that it’s now overlooked. Well until, Miles Morales was introduced.

There’s no hate in me, that’s all used up on the Los Angeles Lakers.  There is more questioning and confusion.  Why do white people get the right to throw around hurtful sterotypes and prejudice?  Yes, I am calling out white america, due to experiences I have went through growing up, it feels too similar.  As long as I can remember, the only comic book super hero of any ethnicity that has been pushed has been Blade.  However, in comic books…very minor.  To see a major iconic comic book character like Spider-Man displayed in this matter in finally showing (I should say accepting) that anyone of any gender or race and be the one behind the mask.  The key selling point of Spider-Man was how he was a teenager who you could relate with.  Which I thought that was anyone, not just for one race.

I said earlier, I was depending on hope.  However, it’s sad to say I’m used to this norm. Read on a message board that “Spider-Man belongs to white culture.”  Another post had African Americans being lazy and stealing the whites ideas (even though the creative idea of Miles Morales, is Brian Michael Bendis, a white man).  

It’s ok for me to have friends of mine in the past tell me the difference between a “ni**a” and a “ni**er”.  Considering that they were white.  ”Who the fuck is you to tell me the difference?!?!?  All I can hear is your ignorant, and I rather not even be associated with your company.  Trust me, I had all of these thrown at me…”Oreo cookie”, “Zebra”, “He’s beating up himself (when the LA riots of the 90’s occured)”..you named it, I’ve been called it.  It never bugged me cause I knew they’re favorite musicians were not white, or were their favorite atheltes.  It ends us being a bunch of hypocrisy.  I felt sorry for them, cause down the road they will forget.  Speak to me as if none of this has happened.  I’ll never forget, and each day that passes…I’m glad I didn’t end up as them.  

Marvel, this maybe considered as a testament to you.  Also to my parents as well, as I have a black mother and a white father who raised me as if color was nothing to even pay attention to.  Maybe the hope I had was people welcoming Miles in this world as my parents did.  Perhaps when this new Spider-Man gets going, it will be forgotten like it never happened.  Very excited to see how this story of great power comes great responsibility is played out by character that isn’t Peter Parker.   

Maybe…but I’ll never forget