Just so we're clear, the Captain America we're discussing isn't Sam Wilson, Isaih Bradley or any of the other dozen people that have held the mantle of Cap. We're talking Steve Rogers. Steve Rogers wasn't chosen as Captain America, he was chosen because he was a man out of place. Steve wasn't a racist, he wasn't xenophobic, he wasn't beating people for being homosexual or any of that other stuff. Steve was a sort of man from the future who didn't just say "I believe in equality for all," like so many. He said it, stood by it and fought for it. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all, that's something we're supposed to believe in as Americans, but most of us don't. Steve Rogers did and was willing to give up his life for it.
The idea that Steve is simply an government dog is ridiculous. The government has made it clear, they don't own Steve Rogers but they own the Captain America name. Steve has been fired several times for going against the government. He's had the Captain America name repossessed and had to go by names like Eagle, Nomad, Flag Face and Mister Avenger. Just because he's Captain America doesn't mean he can't tell the government that they're wrong. He doesn't just state that he disagrees he'll do the opposite as proven time and time again.
"When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree by the river of truth, and tell the whole world "No, You Move." Those were his words to Spider-Man during Civil War. Civil War was one instance when he died standing against the government. He stood against the registration act because it was an invasion of privacy to the American people, superhuman or not.
As far as Captain America being a racist, that's laughable. People actually complain that since he's from the 1940s he should be racist and sexist. People have been upset for decades because Captain America isn't racist. People thought making him an old man would change this, wrong. By now most people know Sam Wilson is Captain America and the latest black person to take the name of Captain America. Nobody wanted Sam Wilson as Captain America but Steve chose him to represent the new America. Steve chose him over his own son. Then when people started protesting and flat out said "That boy's not my Captain America," Steve boldly stood by his choice because Sam is one of the few who "doesn't just fight crime, he fights racism and oppression too."Steve Rogers is not perfect. He's a stick in the mud who likes to ruin the fun, especially in the Ultimate Comics, but he doesn't stand for American Values. He stands for what they should and could be. He knows that the government can be wrong and isn't afraid to go against them. When he is wrong he's man enough to admit. He's never been a man about proving America is the best by beating people up. That's just not Captain America and if you don't get it by now, you never will.
You can hear Darrell on the CP Time and Powerbomb Jutsu podcasts. He also plays classic arcade games on The Cabinet
Follow @OriginalKingD
Good article, I loved captain America as a kid, but the newer movies I sort of compared him to other superheroes an he didn't seem as tough anymore, cause him with just a shield makes it feel more unrealistic because it seems like he can easily be beaten an him not being beaten is not real(I know this is fiction), unless its the movies that did that to me. I would say Captain America is one of the good guys, people read to much into this stuff, hes basically Americas hero not the worlds hero. an I have no illusions of otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI dislike the movies for a similar reason. They paint Cap like some kind of fun ruiner and that's okay. Then they discount the fact that he's a super soldier, the fact that he does more than just throws a shield. They've made Falcon into nothing but a sidekick with a few cameos.
DeleteThe real problem is they make Tony Stark out to be the greatest hero in the world. People go into the comics thinking he's this great guy when he's not. He's an alcoholic who thinks problems in the hood are below him so Rhodey has to take over as Ironman because Tony is drunk as well as show up and break up gangs. Yet the movies make it out like he's a great person and he's just not.
I agree with you but my opinion first Captain America film was better than others. It's now the wonderful marvel picture with excellent performing, act, and story. Have a Look
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you cleared that up because I know so many people who hate Cap off the name alone, thinking he's a lapdog boyscout (much like Superman in Dark Knight Returns) and it's just not so. Even when they tried to get Cap to run for President and he declined.
ReplyDeleteCap is no lapdog, that's for sure. Good article.
I'm glad you cleared that up because I know so many people who hate Cap off the name alone, thinking he's a lapdog boyscout (much like Superman in Dark Knight Returns) and it's just not so. Even when they tried to get Cap to run for President and he declined.
ReplyDeleteCap is no lapdog, that's for sure. Good article.
Great article, agree completely.
ReplyDelete