“America” Doesn’t Understand Captain America By: Daniel Medrano
During World War 2, America officially had a neutral stance in the actions of the axis, passing the Neutrality Act of 1939 (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, DC). In Captain America Comics in March 1941, the inaugural issue of Captain America had the star-spangled soldier-boy punching Adolf Hitler in the face… I guess Cap didn’t get the memo?
The cover is celebrated to this day as one of the most famous in comic book history. Do you remember hearing people complaining about that cover being “political”?
Let’s jump ahead to today with the release of, Captain America Number 1, released on June 30th, 2021. This is after the storyline done by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Cap lost his shield, his freedom because of a murder plot, all to just destroy his name. All part of the fallout of Secret Empire, where Cap was replaced with a Captain America loyal to Hydra (who were literal Nazi’s in the comics). Cap’s relationship with America is fractured, they see him, they see the totalitarian who destroyed so much for a regime that won’t seem to die.
But, in trying to fix his reputation he begins to wonder about America, he questions the “American Dream”, stating that it’s nothing but that, a dream. He muses on the nature of it, how angry people can be when the dream is “taken away”, but never admit to themselves that it never existed. Stating the “White Picket Fence Fallacy”, and accurately stating how that fallacy can be a slippery slope, leading towards nationalism and jingoism.
“That dream isn’t real. It never was.” (Christopher Cantwell, Captain America #1, Marvel, 2021)
Accurately stating that the dream doesn’t get along with reality, other cultures, immigrants, the poor, the people who suffer and are only seen as “different” or “unamerican”. “The white picket fence becomes a gate to keep others out” (Christopher Cantwell, Captain America #1, Marvel, 2021). A complete contradiction to the words that are written on the Statue of Liberty. Turning away the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
When that happens, “The American Dream”, becomes “The American Lie”.
And what happens when you even imply that America is less than perfect?
That’s right, suddenly the “fans” appear, bemoaning Cap for being too “political”. Accusing the writer, and Marvel itself of being “woke”, and “pushing an agenda”.
Okay, so this is gonna be a lot to unpack.
To keep it brief: These people are the reason the Ultimate Universe lasted so long.
I say this because the Ultimate Universe version of Captain America is an entire microcosm of the issues surrounding Cap, and that sole issue is simply that America doesn’t understand Captain America.
Well, I say “simply”, but, I’ll admit, it’s a bit more than that.
In truth, it’s a certain type of America, a very vocal, sensitive side of America, the ones that ignore the faults of the country, and then rave about how much better it is than others.
They are what I call “America”; at least for the sake of this argument. The proponents of an image of our country that is often mocked.
When someone, or something challenges this image, they become enraged, defensive, and very VERY loud.
“America” represents the ignorance and fragility that drives the worst of the country.
“America” clings to people and symbols, and when the subject of the clinginess goes against what they believe, “America” lashes out; blaming everyone, accusing others for preventing what’s “theirs”.
The problem isn’t that someone changed anything about Cap. They’re finally seeing what Cap really is.
Captain America, since his inception, has always stood in question of the actions the government decides.
The government was neutral in WWII? Cap knocks Hitler in the face in his first comic cover.
America becomes increasingly isolationist, taking extreme measures against those who want part of the great “American Dream”. Cap points out the fallacy of it all.
Cap is never against America and defends its ideals, but in no way does Cap represent any specific administration to blindly follow.
This is in no way emphasized than when Cap, as many followers would know, took on the identity of Nomad, The Man Without a Country.
Nomad was made in response to Steve Rogers, Cap’s real identity, no longer felt connected to his country, but still wanted to defend those who could not defend themselves.
This was just one example, but it’s part of a pattern showing that he’s not bound by any government, he’s bound to the people he’s sworn to protect.
“America” doesn’t see that. “America” sees a soldier turning his back on his country. “America” attacks people telling a story that is inherently tied to such a character.
“He’s Captain AMERICA, he should represent AMERICA, properly!”
He does, that’s what they don’t understand. They want Cap to represent their America, the one that they believe in. The America that openly bullies others because of where they may come from and kick them out when they don’t fit what they believe is America.
Steve Rogers was the child of Irish immigrants, Steve Rogers was frail, sickly, and despite that, wanted to fight bullies. Steve represented what “America” doesn’t want.
And it’s because “America” doesn’t want it, “America” doesn’t understand it.
So, where does that leave us? Honestly, no where different. Because, while “America” may be loud, brash, and destructive, it’s more akin to a child throwing a tantrum. You let them get it out, then continue on.
Some may stop reading, and that’s fine. It’s what they want to do. But, some may keep reading, and if they do, that’s great. If they do, then “America” may really understand Captain America.
They may be part of “America”, but they’re still Americans, and Cap would never stop protecting them, and, just like Cap, we shouldn’t give up on them.
