Those parts!
I was an avid reader of fantasy and fiction as a child, and what drew me to these tales was their ability to set off my imagination. Not only was I able to delve into these fantastical worlds and moments, but I was able to IMAGINE as you stated, of having powers, or being super strong, fantasizing of being able to leap up and fly. I used to spend hours in the neighborhood library reading through the comics section, getting into the stories and at no point in time was I unable to relate with a character because they were meta or superpowered. I mean we've had shows with a talking bunny, bird, cat, mouse, etc, and I was still able to be entertained. It didn't prevent me from being able to engage with the storyline or relate at times to it.
When people make weak claims about Clark and Diana having to be paired with humans in order for them to find them as "relatable" I find that concerning. What it shows me is an inability to be able to identify, have empathy for someone or something that isn't like ones own self. That prejudice becomes even more glaringly obvious with those who have issues with Clark being addressed as 'Kal' in their attempt to distance him further with anything that "others" him. It becomes all the more disturbing when it is promoted in media by a company who claims to want to reach a diverse population yet wittingly or unwittingly pushes xenophobic rhetorics by using such a significant character as Superman, a character created to push back against such a thing.
It's crazy that Superman had less of an identity issue 40/50 years ago, embraced all of who he was, didn't feel like he had to be "normal" by the bizarre definition used as him pretending to be human or trying to assimilate, than he does in the 21st century. That says a lot.
The following quote shared with me deeply resonates:
[
Stories are how we learn to make choices. Stories are how we learn to access the moral and emotional resources we need to face the uncertain, the unknown, and the unexpected mindfully. Because stories speak the language of emotion, the language of the heart, they teach us not only how we “ought to” act, but can in inspire us with the “courage to” act. And because the sources of emotion on which they draw are in our values, our stories can help us translates our values into action.]
This quote reminds me of the importance of stories and why care needs to be taken on the narratives promoted. The last part especially is why I will always stand by the stance that it
says more about those who push detrimental storylines about SMWW together than it does about the actual characters. Whether good or bad, a story will reveal the type of value held by the writer. Absolutely no one who actually cares about the characters of Superman and Wonder Woman would buy into the hogwash ideology that they become dictatorial when together or lose their compassion and innate goodness, their moral compass, when not with a human love interest. Not to speak of implying that their care for humanity is derived from being with a human love interest. 🤦🏾*♀️
The following clip from my "forever First Lady" (part of a real life power couple 😉 ), in which she shares why it is important to marry someone your equal speaks a lot to me as an SMWW fan. Your significant other should be someone who you share similar values with. Someone equally strong, and who is comfortable with you being strong. As she reminds, your spouse/significant other is your teammate. You both have to be equally in it, have each other's back. It is why I will forever be for SMWW because they reflect strong, real life healthy dynamics, and it gets reaffirmed to me every time I come across people who have been married for years in a healthy, loving relationship. I always hear couples say how their spouse is their best friend. How their spouse understands them in a way nobody else does. How they are able to be vulnerable and completely themselves with their significant other. How often did we see this with Superman and Wonder Woman whether in their friendship or their romantic relationship?
(I have no ideas how to post a video on here from Instagram...)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bznwd58B...=18ywuoo66d88n
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bznwd58B...=18ywuoo66d88n
A long sustainable relationship also involves reciprocity. It is not about one person dictating how the relationship is going to be while the other is a lapdog or co-dependent. I don't know what about that kind of twisted and unbalanced dynamic is supposed to be romantic or appealing.
Superman and Wonder Woman were a force to be reckoned with individually, but together they were dynamite. And that's part of their appeal. They only get better together. They both grow. Challenge each other in meaningful ways, and will never sit back and allow the other to engage in questionable behavior.
A positive and a positive will
always be
Positive never negative.