fbpx

Blog

Super Hero Reflects Diversity

August 9, 2011

Examining the relationship between stereotyping, the media, and violence is a major focus of SWOVA’s Respectful Relationships program (R+R). Our workshops examine how media stereotyping can legitimize and normalize inequality and treat generalizations about groups of people as social facts. In doing so, R+R workshops challenge students to critically analyze how media stereotyping can produce and sustain systems of power including racism, sexism and homophobia. Students are asked to think about how, when and why media represents particular groups and ignores others. In this setting, students often point out how super-heroes in comic book series are almost exclusively represented by white men. Countering this blatant stereotype, Marvel Universe has  recently unveiled a black-Latino Spider-Man comic book series that warrants attention.

Miles Morales, the new biracial Spider-Man character, is not the first minority super-hero, however, Marvel Universe is nevertheless making a positive step towards promoting media diversity.  In the words of Marvel’s Editor-in-Chief:

“What you have is a Spider-Man for the 21st century who’s reflective of our culture and diversity.”

This is important because comic books have and continue to play an important developmental role in many children’s lives.  As such, it is important for children from all racial and ethnic backgrounds to see both themselves and others diversely represented in media, arts and culture.  So, as artist Sara Pichelli, who played an important role in designing the new Spider-Man, suggests:

“Maybe sooner or later a black or gay — or both — hero will be considered something absolutely normal.”

 By Nicola Temmel, Summer Student at SWOVA

Consent from the Start

Consent from the Start

I have advocated for consent for over a decade, but if I am going to be honest, I only began to practise consent within the last three years. I am not talking about sexual consent. However, I am going to assume that when I said “consent,” you thought I meant “sexual...

Top 6 Benefits of Social–Emotional Learning in the Classroom

Top 6 Benefits of Social–Emotional Learning in the Classroom

COVID-19 Impact on Social–Emotional Learning The COVID-19 pandemic has not only affected students’ academic performance, but it has also significantly impacted their social–emotional learning. Research shows that students are experiencing an increased lack of...

Power of Connection in Facing Challenge

Power of Connection in Facing Challenge

I recently heard about a fascinating study in which researchers were investigating human perception of challenge. One of their findings was that when a person stands at the base of a hill that they are about to climb, they perceive the hill to be 10 to 20% larger than...

Pass It On Boys has Two New Facilitators

We welcome to Alex and Albert to our facilitation team! We're thrilled to have Alex King-Harris and Albert Strasser join the team of facilitators here at The Circle. Each of them brings an incredible skill set to their work in the Pass It On Boys program, for boys...

Lobstick Foundation Supports Pass-It-On Girls!

We are delighted to announce that #Lobstick Foundation has contributed $6,000 towards the Pass it On Girls Program! Our sincere gratitude to Lobstick for their generous support of the Pass It On Girls #MentorshipProgram.  In this program, high school young women...

Coast Capital Supports Pass-It-On Girls!

Coast Capital Supports Pass-It-On Girls!

Pssst! We’ve received $5,000 in funding from @Coast_Capital ...Pass It On Girls! Our sincere gratitude to #CoastCapitalSavings for their generous support of the Pass It On Girls #MentorshipProgram.  In this program, high school young women provide structured group and...

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.