The previous class we spoke about the comic book editor Mr. Priest who was unhappy with his status in the comic book industry. As one of the first black editors in the industry he felt that his lack of recognition was a slap in the face. Priest was also unhappy with the portrayal with black characters in comic books. Why do minorities characters have to play the stereotypical role to be expected into the white community? The reoccurring trend seems to be with these characters they should be authentic enough for their community to accept them but at the same time still conform to the margins on the majority population. In today's reading, we see the great change in the role of black characters. In the original Tarzan we see him defeat the "black cannibals" but we then see them change into equal partners. During the time of this article we know that there were great changes happening in the 1970's, minorities that were long subjugated were demanding equality. The trend in comic books should reflect that.
Why blame comics for societal failure? Society blamed comics for the societal failures because it was a fairly new industry, and as things seemed to go “wrong” they figured it must be comic books. When a child grew up during the war, his father was probably killing people and the military and his mother was probably making things in factories to help kill the opposition. The only things kids had to “babysit” them was comic books, and they read many different kinds. So when kids starting acting differently in this new generation the figured it must be the comic books. Society didn’t want to believe it may have been the internal and external scars war causes on the soldiers and their families. Also the fact that young unattended children are reading these comics may not be able to differentiate between fantasy and reality. When society fails it always needs a scapegoat then it was comic books next it was rock and roll. Society naturally resist change.
Comments