It seems that the long wished-for discussion on racism in America is finally here, though it's most often being had at the top of the lungs. What will be the results of that conversation remain to be seen, and given the steps retreating from racial harmony which have been made in the last several years in the Supreme Court and elsewhere, I am not particularly hopeful. In a country where "white privilege" is still up for debate, I cannot say with any confidence that people have come far enough. But I'd like to think that not unlike gun regulations, the broader population is actually in more harmony than the relatively few loudmouths who dominate the debate and dominate the donations lists for politicians. Maybe the evidence of our eyes has finally shaken off decades of scales and broken the spell of denial that many white Americans have comforted themselves with so long, and maybe a new way forward can be forged.
Above is arguably Wally Wood's most famous comic book cover for EC's Shock SupenStories #6. The cover is connected to the story drawn by Wood and written by Al Fieldstein with plot assist by Bill Gaines titled "Under Cover". To read that story check out this link. Wood's artwork is even more compelling in lush black and white than in color and that's saying something indeed.
Note: This post originally appeared at Rip Jagger's Other Dojo. I will be transferring some of those posts over here as the month goes on.
Rip Off
Racism's a difficult one. Over in Britain, a cricketer who is Pakistani has alleged experiencing racist behaviour at the team he belongs to, yet has had to apologise for anti-semitic posts on his social media page. Victim and perpetrator at the same time - staggering.
ReplyDeleteWe are all in the blender of a complex world society and varying cultural norms. But the protracted and sometimes institutional racism in many parts of my country, despite noble aspirations in founding documents and elsewhere, remains a force to reckoned with.
DeleteI think America will have to wait another generation (or two) before anything really changes. But the fact that Barack Obama was elected twice is very hopeful for the future.
ReplyDeleteSadly I agree. There was perhaps more hope than wisdom among many of us since I never expected to see that in my lifetime and was well pleased to see it. I wanted it to be true that America had at long last crossed that divide, but Obama's success only sharpened the spears of those who still hold resentment and prejudice in their hearts. Trump was the counter attack alas and the battles still rage. The institutional prejudice against gays has largely vanished or is vanishing in the culture and that's a surprise, a positive one. But the hope for that same movement for race is still questionable alas.
DeleteYou are correct sir, that inked b&w version is striking
ReplyDelete