Ororo Munroe: Storm/Hadari Yao Appreciation 2021

[butterflykyss]

Hmm.. this topic is interesting to me. Storm is the most important black female superhero, and in much of the art marvel has put out of her, she could pass for a white woman with a tan . The straight hair and blue eyes help a lot to create that perception imo . So yes, while her hair and eyes are too iconic now to change them, and I have no idea of knowing what exactly the intention was when she was created, I sometimes wish artists gave her some different hairstyles. She could absolutely rock some braids . Give her some african-inspired touches to her outfits, these sorts of things. Representation is important and I think a lot of the times Marvel could do a better job with Storm's imagery to achieve that.

This point is spot on! I think even though Storm is a black character her depiction at times from a canonical perspective was conveyed to indicate otherwise. Anyone who would suggest that people are idiotic for being aware of the instances in canon that actually support such claims are the ones who appear as such.

This following scan caused many within the fandom to make the argument she was not black:

[butterflykyss]

Please don't be insulting, I'm not accusing the character or writers I've seen pen her of white veneration, at least not intentionally, but I also know it took years to see Storm drawn in a way that was more reflective of her heritage and black X characters are so scarce her visual presentation holds that much more weight. Moreover, black women had zero say in her initial character design so forgive me for not embracing every single detail. I would never suggest changing them in comics, but I wouldn't be mad if they didn't show up in the MCU.

I'm a black woman who respectfully asked a question so you can miss me with that entire second paragraph. rude

your point is absolutely valid and that user had no reason to be as condescending as they were in that post. people can be disagreeable without belittling or insulting someone.

[Marvell2100]

Please don't be insulting, I'm not accusing the character or writers I've seen pen her of white veneration, at least not intentionally, but I also know it took years to see Storm drawn in a way that was more reflective of her heritage and black X characters are so scarce her visual presentation holds that much more weight. Moreover, black women had zero say in her initial character design so forgive me for not embracing every single detail. I would never suggest changing them in comics, but I wouldn't be mad if they didn't show up in the MCU.

I'm a black woman who respectfully asked a question so you can miss me with that entire second paragraph. rude

Let the choir say amen.

[Marvell2100]

This point is spot on! I think even though Storm is a black character her depiction at times from a canonical perspective was conveyed to indicate otherwise. Anyone who would suggest that people are idiotic for being aware of the instances in canon that actually support such claims are the ones who appear as such.

This following scan caused many within the fandom to make the argument she was not black:

We had a long discussion about this in the previous Storm thread. The more Black people, particularly Black women get interested in Storm, they want to see her reflect the culture, especially when it comes to hairstyles.

[butterflykyss]

We had a long discussion about this in the previous Storm thread. The more Black people, particularly Black women get interested in Storm, they want to see her reflect the culture, especially when it comes to hairstyles.

yea I recalled that exchange and I dont really see any issue with it honestly.

[Devaishwarya]

Please don't be insulting, I'm not accusing the character or writers I've seen pen her of white veneration, at least not intentionally, but I also know it took years to see Storm drawn in a way that was more reflective of her heritage and black X characters are so scarce her visual presentation holds that much more weight. Moreover, black women had zero say in her initial character design so forgive me for not embracing every single detail. I would never suggest changing them in comics, but I wouldn't be mad if they didn't show up in the MCU.

I'm a black woman who respectfully asked a question so you can miss me with that entire second paragraph. rude

Bloody hell! It's getting so a person cannot have a sensible, rational discussion and opinion without someone unnecessarily taking offense, where none was given and none was intended.

I wasn't addressing that second paragraph (the entire post actually) to you specifically at all. I don't know you so...No need to take it so direct and personal. But since you did....I have nothing more to say to you on the matter. Be at peace.

[Devaishwarya]

Hmm.. this topic is interesting to me. Storm is the most important black female superhero, and in much of the art marvel has put out of her, she could pass for a white woman with a tan . The straight hair and blue eyes help a lot to create that perception imo . So yes, while her hair and eyes are too iconic now to change them, and I have no idea of knowing what exactly the intention was when she was created, I sometimes wish artists gave her some different hairstyles. She could absolutely rock some braids . Give her some african-inspired touches to her outfits, these sorts of things. Representation is important and I think a lot of the times Marvel could do a better job with Storm's imagery to achieve that.

To answer your question: Artists and writers have, for the most part, always focused and highlighted on her African-ness with respect to her life's journey, her history, her heart, her connection, her dress. And there have been many instances where she's worn her hair in different , "Black" styles.

In story, Her blue eyes and her platinum white hair are indicative of the power handed down through time to the daughters the line who possess great and significant power. Ashake, her grand-mother many times removed and a gifted sorceress, had blue eyes and white hair as well. N'Dare, her mother, didn't. It's just that simple. Plus it looks really cool and gives her a very distinctive look apart from the other Black MU women.

[Stormultt Divine]

Storm and Monica are easily my two favorite comic book characters, but I have to say, I've never been a fan of the blue eyes. I was annoyed seeing them on Monica for the same reasons I didn't like them on Storm, it felt like another example of black women distinguished or venerated for a typically white feature. I get the context is different between the two characters and they're exhibited differently, but it still feels like an incredibly loaded color choice.

???

There are literally people on the African continent who are born with blue eyes. I never understand when people have a problem with her hair or eyes. Not all of us black folk are the same anyways. I really dont like the 'storm isnt black enough' view people throw around. Her blue eyes and white are also could have been done to display her otherworldly feel her creators were clearly trying to stick to her upon debut.

[Devaishwarya]

We had a long discussion about this in the previous Storm thread. The more Black people, particularly Black women get interested in Storm, they want to see her reflect the culture, especially when it comes to hairstyles.

You mean reflective in the same way we as Black people idolise Beyonce, Mary J. and other actual noted Black women who wear blond weaves, coloured contacts etc.?

The main difference being..Storm was "born" with those attributes. Beyonce wasn't.

And before you get all hottup under the collar, I'm seriously asking...no shade or rudeness.

[Stormultt Divine]

Purrrriod..

[Baby_Hater666]

You mean reflective in the same way we as Black people idolise Beyonce, Mary J. and other actual noted Black women who wear blond weaves, coloured contacts etc.?

The main difference being..Storm was "born" with those attributes. Beyonce wasn't.

And before you get all hottup under the collar, I'm seriously asking...no shade or rudeness.

You're really gonna post this snide comment deriding real life black women for not being born with the same features as a fictional comic book character originally created by white men lol. Thank you for highlighting the problem better than I ever could have.

[Marvell2100]

You mean reflective in the same way we as Black people idolise Beyonce, Mary J. and other actual noted Black women who wear blond weaves, coloured contacts etc.?

The main difference being..Storm was "born" with those attributes. Beyonce wasn't.

And before you get all hottup under the collar, I'm seriously asking...no shade or rudeness.

I'm not offended at all. And you do know that there are more Black women who are inspirational than just Beyonce and Mary J right?

Michelle Obama
Naomi Osaki
Serena Williams
Karine Jean Pierre
Simone Sanders
Regina King
Laila Ali
Ava Duvurney
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Stacey Abrams
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Maxine Waters
Joy-Ann Reid
Val Demmings
Macy Grey
Lupita Nyongo
Angela Basset
Toni Morrison
Tiffany Cross
Mae Carol Jemison
Oprah Winfrey
Naomi Campbell
Grace Jones
Cicely Tyson
Diana Ross

Just to name a few. Black Female beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, flavors hair color, and hairstyles. Black women have been revolutionizing hairstyles and are innovators. They go from blonde to black to blue to brown to beige. Storm has been daring as well at times with her style in the past. She should embrace that more and be on the cutting edge of style and fashion like her sisters. She doesn't always have to have a perm or mohawk

There was no malice in my prior post, only admiration for Black female beauty and expressionism and hoping to see more of that culture represented by not only Storm but other Black female characters.

[Marvell2100]

Oh, and a shout out to Rep. Cori Bush!

[butterflykyss]

I'm not offended at all. And you do know that there are more Black women who are inspirational than just Beyonce and Mary J right?

Michelle Obama
Naomi Osaki
Serena Williams
Karine Jean Pierre
Simone Sanders
Regina King
Laila Ali
Ava Duvurney
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Stacey Abrams
Keisha Lance Bottoms
Maxine Waters
Joy-Ann Reid
Val Demmings
Macy Grey
Lupita Nyongo
Angela Basset
Toni Morrison
Tiffany Cross
Mae Carol Jemison
Oprah Winfrey
Naomi Campbell
Grace Jones
Cicely Tyson
Diana Ross

Just to name a few. Black Female beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, flavors hair color, and hairstyles. Black women have been revolutionizing hairstyles and are innovators. They go from blonde to black to blue to brown to beige. Storm has been daring as well at times with her style in the past. She should embrace that more and be on the cutting edge of style and fashion like her sisters. She doesn't always have to have a perm or mohawk

There was no malice in my prior post, only admiration for Black female beauty and expressionism and hoping to see more of that culture represented by not only Storm but other Black female characters.

beautifully said!

[Devaishwarya]

Well My point, exactatiously! Marvell.
There are so many real women who are perfectly representational of being the beauty-full lack women we know and love and idolise and emulate...most and above all our mothers...who regardless of how they wear their hair are no less exquisite and exceptional or trying to emulate a white aesthetic.
Yet Storm...a fictional, comic-book character, whose characterisation is anything if not solidly rooted in her history and culture, is the hill some are willing to die on?
Come on.