Words by Nick Slay
This Black History month black youth have more than one unique black superhero to look up to.
For black culture, one thing has always plagued this community, accessibility to positive role models on TV. No place could this be more felt in the comic book community. Now this isn’t to say that there weren’t always positive black heroes to be found in comic print or the silver screen, however garnering mainstream success or having deep world building that would be seen in Superman or Batman was hard pressed. Or moreover, if they were seen it was in a sidekick role. This could be seen in The Avengers character Falcon and the Batman Inc. character Batwing.
However with 2018 black and minority youth can look up to two powerful figures whose backstories transcend when they put in their respective cowls to fight crime.
A King and Principal? Yes!!!
The difference today is that youth will see two very different superheroes that step outside the normal tropes seen for their mild mannered alter egos. With Black Panther, we a proud and slightly African prince who ascends to the throne to accept the mantle of leadership and protector when his father passes away. And why shouldn’t King T’Challa be arrogant, he comes from the fictional nation of Wakanda which not only serves as one the most technologically advanced nation on earth it’s also an African nation that has never seen the influence of colonial occupation or culture. He’s a master of all martial art forms, a polymath like Batman (a person with advanced knowledge in multiple subjects), who has the IQ to challenge some of the brightest minds in the Marvel Universe and did I mention he created his own form of science called Shadow Physics.
Manipulating a fictional alien metal called vibranium (which Captain America’s shield is made of), he is bulletproof, has advanced weaponry that can make even the bat blush, and builds machines that can tackle worldwide threats. We see a black man handling the burden of the crown while introducing his country that was until recently hidden from the world, as a political force leader and not your average good guy. He is an Avengers member who’s first priority is his nation, yet must balance being the superhero world needs and the monarch his people deserve. Complicated, royal, and enduring he represents everything we want a future son to be. And powered by the heart shape herb bestowed to his lineage, he can take Captain America handedly in a fight.
In stark contrast we have Black Lightning. Born in the slums of Metropolis (Superman’s stomping grounds) he forges his own destiny as Olympic Gold Medal winning trackstar, with a hidden secret. In the DC Universe he’s a metahuman who can harness and control electricity. In the TV show he comes back to his neighborhood not only to become the black superhero Black Lightning, but his alter ego Jefferson Pierce is the principal of Garfield High, making a way for young black youth who came up in the same gang riddled streets he did. Unlike Black Panther he isn’t fighting world threats or poachers, Black Lightning his fighting self. His enemies are black gang members who are destroying their community, sounds familiar doesn’t it. His family is constantly in the crossfire, and whether he is dispersing lightning from his fingertips or knowledge from his lips, he is tasked with healing his community, fighting racism in all its forms, and tucking his two kids in at night. Pierce must also shelter the fact that his daughters have come into their powers, since they share his DNA. Where other heroes in his universe are respect heros some people call him a vigilante. He is the glue that holds his city of Freeland together whether he’s perched from his office at Garfield High, or amongst the rooftops of the city.
In these two characters, black youth can find everyday heroes even when they aren’t wearing the mask. Fictional role models that they can aspire who to, who are educated, complex, and task with representing how the world views their people. They emulate and reinforce the concept that black excellence is at a all time high.
