It's been an interesting and insightful experience as a white, blond, and hazel-eyed immigrant of the millennial generation. It afforded me an unspoken privilege that took me a while to recognize. Though in college and today, I identify more with minorities and the struggles they face. However, I have learned how to avoid similar struggles by blending in and not revealing my place of origin, which I learned a while ago, shaped some Americans', mostly older ones, views of me as a canvas for their dislikes about my place of origin, which oddly turned into likes for many. I agree with the dislikes, but I immigrated as a child and have lived in America three times longer than where I was born, so I'm not the scapegoat of their fear. At parties, in my twenties, my whiteness also gave me a front row experience of how some white Americans saw things, assuming I was of their brand of whiteness that flows through MAGA and other groups today.
This was always the case, even before the Byrne retcon. He was always good because he was raised by John and Martha Kent to be good. Except for Snyderverse, of course. Dumbest Kevin Costner death ever. And yes, I'm counting Yellowstone...
The past... depictions of Superman have been dark. They tried to grime him up. Make him more like Batman. But that's not him.
He's not Superman because he's powerful, he's Superman because he's kind. He chooses kindness.
He could easily conquer Earth and do what his parents wanted him to do. Most people given the power of Superman would. But he is kind. He rescues squirrels. He's concerned about the life of a giant alien monster. He's still trying to reach out to his worst enemy even after all of the hell that enemy put him through and the innocent people his enemy hurt trying to hurt him.
God, how I needed a dose of Superman in my life right now. In a mean, cynical world, being kind is punk as fuck.
I think this is the change I liked most about the Gunn reimagining.
Superman in this isn’t driven by destiny, history, or a sense of moral superiority. He at his core is just a regular guy who tries to do the right thing because he’s a kind person, not because he’s told to or is trying to impress anyone.
That may be the message that resonates most of all in these horrific fascist times.
I'm a fan of superhero stuff but I'm primarily a Marvel girl. I haven't watched any Superman movies since the "originals" with Christopher Reeve but if this one is pissin' off the right people, I just may give it a go!
It's been an interesting and insightful experience as a white, blond, and hazel-eyed immigrant of the millennial generation. It afforded me an unspoken privilege that took me a while to recognize. Though in college and today, I identify more with minorities and the struggles they face. However, I have learned how to avoid similar struggles by blending in and not revealing my place of origin, which I learned a while ago, shaped some Americans', mostly older ones, views of me as a canvas for their dislikes about my place of origin, which oddly turned into likes for many. I agree with the dislikes, but I immigrated as a child and have lived in America three times longer than where I was born, so I'm not the scapegoat of their fear. At parties, in my twenties, my whiteness also gave me a front row experience of how some white Americans saw things, assuming I was of their brand of whiteness that flows through MAGA and other groups today.
This was always the case, even before the Byrne retcon. He was always good because he was raised by John and Martha Kent to be good. Except for Snyderverse, of course. Dumbest Kevin Costner death ever. And yes, I'm counting Yellowstone...
I loved the movie. I loved it a lot.
The past... depictions of Superman have been dark. They tried to grime him up. Make him more like Batman. But that's not him.
He's not Superman because he's powerful, he's Superman because he's kind. He chooses kindness.
He could easily conquer Earth and do what his parents wanted him to do. Most people given the power of Superman would. But he is kind. He rescues squirrels. He's concerned about the life of a giant alien monster. He's still trying to reach out to his worst enemy even after all of the hell that enemy put him through and the innocent people his enemy hurt trying to hurt him.
God, how I needed a dose of Superman in my life right now. In a mean, cynical world, being kind is punk as fuck.
I think this is the change I liked most about the Gunn reimagining.
Superman in this isn’t driven by destiny, history, or a sense of moral superiority. He at his core is just a regular guy who tries to do the right thing because he’s a kind person, not because he’s told to or is trying to impress anyone.
That may be the message that resonates most of all in these horrific fascist times.
" (If you believe a man can fly, you should probably go along for the ride and accept successful mating between alien species.)"
Counterpoint: Larry Niven's (tongue firmly in cheek) essay "Man of steel, woman of Kleenex"
https://www.astro.sunysb.edu/fwalter/AST389/TEXTS/SupermanAndSex.html
This is a really neat perspective and pretty interesting. And sounds like it's always relevant to our times.
Gunn's "Superman" movie sounds like a great movie - entertaining in a thoughtful way. I am not a big fan of superheros, but I would watch this movie.
I'm a fan of superhero stuff but I'm primarily a Marvel girl. I haven't watched any Superman movies since the "originals" with Christopher Reeve but if this one is pissin' off the right people, I just may give it a go!