.jpg){kind=link}
Back in the day, Black superheroes were either enslaved by white heroes, were pimps, or had stereotypical backstories. And though many of our people tried to take control of our narratives, a racist industry made sure our voices were muted.
But the struggle is far from over!
Most superhero movies still feature white heroes, with Black Panther as an exception.
But Black writers have entered the scene in numbers, and their influence is shaking up the industry. Old racist tropes are being reimagined. However, this movement isn’t just about existing characters getting makeovers. It’s much deeper than that.
In contemporary comics, creators are facing injustices head on. Imagine a teenage boy gaining his superpowers after being shot by a racist cop. The story of “Black” tackles police brutality and uplifts Black strength. It still gets better.
Black women’s voices are being amplified, too. Hot Comb is an animated short story collection that not only chronicles the sometimes nuanced relationship Black women have with hair, but that also makes much-needed social commentary on Black issues.
Black writers have quietly been creating a movement for positive Black content. They’re destroying negative, racist images of our people. When we control the narratives about our people, even in fictional settings, we reap the benefits in reality!