Originally Posted by
Powerboy
I think what was said is basically true.
As an aside, I was at a sci fi convention a number of years ago and sitting in the concessions (food) room. The television was on and an episode of "Fresh Prince of Bel Aire" was on. It was dealing with racism and being guilty purely by being black. Someone in the room said, "Why are we watching this garbage? Isn't there something better on?" So they found an episode of the original Star Trek and it was one that was dealing with bigotry against vulcans. Apparently, this was fine. We shouldn't hate those green-blooded, pointy-eared people but let's not get crazy here and translate that into reality." One of those situations where, to quote Sam Kinnison, "I think you people are missing the whole f**king point."
I think Superman as the ultimate immigrant may have played better in past decades and may- based on what some have said about the situation currently in same cultures- play better in some nations. In the United States, I honestly think it's about as useful as vulcans as symbols of bigotry victims or mutants. You're preaching to the choir. It doesn't translate in most people's minds to real life situations. Yes they can *say* he's an alien, etc. But what we see is a white human male. If it's a movie or show, he's played by a white male actor.
I think the Martian Manhunter serves far, far better as a symbol of an immigrant or a victim of bigotry.
I'll put it another way. If it's an immigrant from England, France, Sweden, and so on, Superman may be a great symbol of the Immigrant experience IF that immigrant is white.
If we are talking about, say, the Middle East, the Martian Manhunter is a great symbol. Maybe even from Ireland were this a century ago.
On the other hand, Superman may well be a great symbol for the person who can hide what he or she is. Someone Jewish who feels in many situations that they must hide it. Someone who is gay. Someone who maybe belongs to any religion that there are huge bigoted assumptions about, etc. The Byrne Superman when Luthor outed him as an alien is an example of this.
But the statements are generally true. If he looked like J'onn J'onzz or Steel, he wouldn't be reacted to the same and could never be the symbol he is for a huge number of people- which is depressing, frankly. On the other hand, he didn't get to choose his gender or color.
I realize that when Superman was created, there was zilch chance that Jerry Siegal would have been allowed to have his human adoptive parents be Jewish. But, today, I would personally support a restart that did something like that especially were it done well because I honestly think it is reasonable to think Siegal might have done that if he could have done it.