Comments | theclexfactor: Batman’s Human Privilege (a.k.a. Why Superman Should Be More Relatable to Minorities)

theclexfactor

Batman’s Human Privilege (a.k.a. Why Superman Should Be More Relatable to Minorities)

Feb 28, 2011 15:52

Here’s the thing: I do actually like both Superman and Batman. I’m not one of those fans that plot ways in which one would be able to beat another (because I’m that fan that questions why these two heroes, let alone friends are fighting in the first place). But often this argument is initiated by the claim that Batman is more relatable to fans than ( Read more... )

character: bruce wayne/batman, superman, fandom: smallville, fandom: dcu, sv commentary, meta, superman/batman, character: clark kent/superman

Comments 31

talitha78 March 1 2011, 01:06:54 UTC

This really resonated with me. Thank you for expressing it so well. I myself have always been fond of thinking of Clark Kent as just another illegal alien. :)

theclexfactor March 1 2011, 15:45:48 UTC

It often drives be crazy (and possibly a bit ragey) when Superman is dismissed as just a hero with too many powers. I also find that only those that don't actually read Superman books (or at least haven't read them since Pre-Crisis) are the ones with these stupid opinions. They certainly don't take into consideration the fact that Superman was created by two Jewish kids during the height of Hitler's reign, otherwise they would actually look at the context of the character's background.

beef_wonder3 March 1 2011, 02:12:46 UTC

I think you've made a brilliant point with this. I found myself nodding along with every example you gave for Clark in this situation.
And because of all the things you explained, I like how you showed that Superman is a character that can easily resonate with people. I myself, have never understood when people have called Superman 'boring' and 'unrelatable', given that Clark's dual identity, his presentation of himself as a non-human living on Earth, is so relatable with people in the most basic sense of trying to find a place in society.

theclexfactor March 1 2011, 15:48:43 UTC

I know right? I think one of the problems is that none of those people are looking at Superman in the Post-911 context, and are still clinging to the Silver Age/Christopher Reeve portrayal of this benevolent godlike figure that is instantly accepted by the public. But we are living in much more volatile and xenophobic times where even a "seemingly" white male character of Clark/Superman's background would just as soon be ushered off to a lab before being accepted as someone with pure motives.

homicidalfink March 1 2011, 03:33:26 UTC

I love you for writing this. Clark is the ultimate emigree/illegal alien. Yes. Just yes.

theclexfactor March 1 2011, 15:50:14 UTC

Thanks darlin. I'm one of those fans that came to truly appreciate Superman in a 21st century sense.

phoenixnz March 1 2011, 04:03:56 UTC

I love the points you make in this. I have to say that I have always related to Clark/Superman because of what he is. I may be white but I have at times felt as alienated as Clark does, so this really struck a chord with me. Thank you for writing this.

theclexfactor March 1 2011, 15:54:43 UTC

I don't even think it has to be a white/non-white issue, but anyone that has felt marginalized (non-white, female, non-Christian, lgbt, disabled, non-American in America) should be able to relate to some of this on some level. And even white males that have a modicum of decency should understand at least on a cognitive level.

aerynvala March 1 2011, 08:08:13 UTC

This gave me a new perspective on Smallville's Clark and how he's behaved over the years. It's given me a lot to think about.

theclexfactor March 1 2011, 16:12:09 UTC

I think one of the reasons I've often vehemently defended Clark's reluctance to come forward in the Pre-Season 8 era of the show is that I understood his fear on a personal level (that and the show gave empirical evidence that Clark's fear of being captured is not unfounded. (Not saying this is you) But I think if people would consider that Smallville is a post-911 interpretation. This isn't the same Chris Reeve, Silver Age "everybody loves him immediately" view of the character. There is rampant xenophobia in America (always has been but it's been exaserbated since 9/11 ( ... )

aerynvala March 1 2011, 16:38:17 UTC

This is a little self-involved, sorry ( ... )

theclexfactor March 1 2011, 20:50:33 UTC

No I understand if I only halfway agree. I think going so far as to say that Jonathan was xenophobic is meta-textually accurate but I don't think that's what the writers were going for. I think what they were really trying to convey that any negative feelings toward Kryptonians or of Clark learning his heritage was just the Smallville-universe equivalent of any adoptive parent begin apprehensive of their child looking for their birth parents. But after some of the shit Jor-El pulled, that fear wasn't completely unfounded, whether you agree with the direction Al and Miles took with the portrayal of the Jor-El AI or not (thank GOD the writers this season FINALLY explained what I'd been saying for years about AI Jor-EL being a friggin computer and computers can't express emotions ( ... )