I’ve been a Superman fan for quite a while, so I was really excited to see the latest movie version. But, honestly, it feels odd to watch this beloved American hero get criticized by those who claim to be patriots.
There’s really a lot to admire about Superman. He battles fascism and fights against prejudice. With his immense strength, he protects those who are powerless, and he embodies humility and kindness. His love for his family and adopted homeland shines through, and he stands for “truth, justice, and the American way.”
It’s a sign of how distorted our political landscape has become when critics—like those on Fox News—were upset about this new Superman even before the movie came out.
The source of their outrage? Director James Gunn mentioned in an interview that Superman represents an American story of immigrants who come from different places to live in this country.
That statement seemed to be all it took to upset some folks.
They dismissed the movie, labeling it as “Superwoke” simply because the narrative emphasizes Superman’s roots in the immigrant experience.
Fox host Jesse Watters even made a ridiculous remark, suggesting that Superman’s cape symbolizes MS-13. I mean, really? He actually said that.
Watters’ comments are indicative of a broader trend where leaders play on fears of gang violence to justify harsh and discriminatory policies against immigrants. Yet, there’s little substantial evidence backing these fears.
Unfortunately, Republican lawmakers have jumped into this fray, pushing for more funding to expand harsh immigration enforcement, effectively creating their version of national concentration camps.
This kind of approach only fuels the unacceptable tendencies of those in law enforcement. Instead of accountability, it rewards the worst behavior.
The creation of a massive and violent enforcement system in response to an authoritarian mentality is deeply concerning, especially in light of recent developments with Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok.
In response to right-wing complaints of Grok being too “woke,” his team altered its algorithms, resulting in the bot expressing neo-Nazi sentiments and even praising Adolf Hitler. This incident highlights how easily a powerful platform can be weaponized against marginalized groups.
It reminds me of the role of media in Rwanda, where propaganda was used to dehumanize an entire ethnic group before a horrific genocide occurred.
Today, figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis seem to revel in creating uncertainty about immigrants while making light of terrible policies, like calling harsh detention centers “Alligator Alcatraz.”
Even Laura Loomer, a fellow political figure, commented, drawing a connection to the Hispanic population in the U.S. Whether or not you take her remarks seriously, they reflect disturbing trends in what is tolerated in today’s culture.
Returning to Superman, it’s important to realize that American political culture hasn’t always felt this way, nor does it have to remain this way.
When Norman Leah and his team chose the term “American way” to represent our group, it aligned closely with core American values. I often reference “truth, justice, and the American way” to encapsulate our mission.
Christopher Reeve’s portrayal of Superman helped usher in the modern era of superheroes, advocating for values aligned with the principles that make our country great.
Many Americans instinctively know when something is wrong, and I believe the bigotry promoted by some leaders is turning them away. Artists and public figures play a crucial role in motivating us to strive for a better society. Here’s to you, Superman.
Svante Myrick is the president of American way people.
