Originally Posted by
Robanker
I'm disagreeing that you, I or Coates know better than black people here who we don't know and have no idea the hardships they've endured because of their race, color or creed. I'm disagreeing with you that any of us are some arbiter to make that decision. I'm disagreeing that it's in any way helpful for (and I can only speak for myself with this next statement) a white person to stand up and point to someone else and say "he knows what it's like to be black more than anyone else."
So I can't cosign your statements and I disagree with the methods you're using to get across what I do think is something you sincerely believe in. You're essentially shouting people down for their misgivings about a product based on the creator's history with similar product. Not everything is an indictment of race. Sometimes very qualified people are bad at genre, and thus far Coates has struggled as a superhero writer. Yes, he knows a great deal about the black experience in America and is a very accomplished writer. He's not writing a film about Doctor King, Malcom X, Rosa Parks, Frederick Douglas, Booker T. Washington, Harriet Tubman or a historical figure rooted in the historical struggle of a people so unjustly oppressed-- he's writing about Superman, a fictional character who above all else needs to entertain as well as say something. If he fails on the former, ultimately Superman doesn't work, and many are concerned.
Moreover, many (not just on this thread) are frustrated to see black characters like Calvin and Val overlooked for want of making Clark black. Yes, it affords a black actor one of the most influential roles in American pop culture (and that's awesome), but it also does present other problems such as presenting the idea that none of DC's actual black characters are as interesting as just racebending the current ones. Think of the following: DC is going to do a black Hal Jordan instead of John Stewart in the next Green Lantern film. If that hypothetical situation doesn't bother you, I suggest you go to the John Stewart thread and propose it there. See how everyone feels.
Personally? I'll still watch this Superman movie unless the trailer just looks god-awful, but I am disappointed we're getting Clark instead of Calvin who I think offers a lot of the same qualities Clark does while affording some freedom from expectations the name "Clark Kent" gives the narrative and overall just fewer freedoms for Coates to really go all out.