Let me start off by saying I do see the need for Political Correctness. No one should be bullied or singled out. It’s people being told by some group that you don’t identify with what now offends the group you identify with that is too much. Maybe I am off about that and certain groups go to activists and tell them that a certain phrase now offends them so tell the world to stop.
But I get the impression that political groups make grand announcements that certain minority or even majority groups are now offended by this term so we now have to use a new term. I am for tolerance but to tolerate means you put up with something you don’t like or agree with. You are civil and respectful but you still don’t have to agree with whatever you are tolerating. I think soon the word “tolerance” will be deemed offensive because it promotes people not accepting and agreeing with everything they don’t personally believe in.
So when will this be forced on the comic world? Sure superheroes defend those who are bullied but when will they be called out for bullying the bullies? When will we be told that villains are just as much victims as the people they victimize. They have a sickness or a disease that prevents them from doing the right thing. Batman should leave the villains and thugs alone. Let Gordon round them up and send them to Arkham Center. Yes, “Asylum” is judgmental. Bruce Wayne needs to hang up his cowl and use all his vigilante bully money on research that will stop the “crime gene” from reaping havoc on good people that have it.
Let me stop here again, I respect the fact that there indeed are genes that make people more prone to violence, alcohol and drug addictions and other behavior. I have all the sympathy for people that have no choice in the matter, but I do believe no matter what genes you have or don’t have, you know right from wrong. At early ages we see cartoons of people who have an angel on one shoulder telling them to make the right choice but a devil on the other shoulder telling them to do the evil thing. We all have a conscience, we all make decisions to go ahead and do the wrong thing. Addiction and criminal behavior doesn’t kick in until we make the same choice to do the wrong thing over and over and over again. Alcoholism runs in my family so I guess you can say I have the alcohol gene. But my free will is more powerful than that gene. I don’t drink so at no time will something go off in my head and make me addicted to alcohol. So when someone discovers they are more likely to do something harmful they should get help or the intestinal fortitude to have the will power to stay away from environments that enable their weakness.
Ok, I know this really isn’t the place for all the political and social opinions. Trust me, I am not trying to force my opinions into this site and find a way to nicely and conveniently tie it into comics. But I am worried DC and Marvel will be pressured just as toy companies, children book and movie makers have been to change characters. Kids should accept others are different from them and not make fun of kids that are different but just because you believe in something and like the way you are and chose not to surround yourself with things you dont believe is right, it doesn’t make you a hater.
Comics are fun and give us an escape from the real world. Yes, comics mirror the crime and evil in our own real world but it’s cool that superheroes are there to stop crime. But I have a feeling we will be told that “bigger boned” people are sick of seeing heroes and heroines having perfect bodies. Others will complain that superheroes and their allies aren’t sensitive enough to criminals or groups in the general public who are being bullied in ways other than violence.
So let’s prevent all of this and have a completely PC group of superheroes that don’t ever offend anyone. They constantly conform their personal views to what activist groups tell them is correct. Sure PC groups are all for people being themselves and believe what they believe and don’t be peer pressured into changing yourself but as long as society deems it ok. I am sure parents will love their kids to read “PC Heroes” on the way to their sports activities where everyone wins and there’s no losers or on the way to school where grades are irrelevant because kids who don’t try hard get poor grades and it hurts their feelings “smart” kids get high grades.
Recognizing you have a problem that you feel is part of your nature is a great and responsible step. It doesn’t leave the opportunity to do wrong and use the excuse “it’s in my DNA, I can’t help it.” But not many people are like that. So let’s have Acceptance Adam and Tolerance Tammy kindly educate people in being responsible and work on your issues before you hurt someone. Let’s have big boned Jolly Jan encourage people that although it seems a gene if forcing the Big Mac down their throat, they can use their super power of free will to avoid it and eat healthy foods. Fast Food Frank will soon have to close down his headquarters and change his ways and work at the local Whole Foods Store and be called Fruit Frank. No, you don't sense sarcasm, I really believe that. It will give the right message but still let us adult "kids" be fans of the superheroes we grew up loving and not see them grow soft. Anyone with me?