Miles Morales To Be Focus Of 2018 Animated Spider-Man Film!

Explain, if you can.

Exactly. During the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, there were more Africans brought to South America than to what is now the U.S., but a lot of people in South America would not say that they are ‘Black’, mainly because it makes you seem directly African. Speaking Spanish, French, Dutch, or English; you’re still ‘Black’.

Counting the Black people (people largely of African descent) in North America, South America, and Africa; there are probably more Black people on the planet than Chinese.

Neither do I.

I think the issue with this, is the fact that Marvel doesn’t really do “legacy” characters all that well.

Like with DC, there are several people named “Flash”, “Green Lantern”, “Robin”, etc. That doesn’t really work that well with Marvel characters. Thus, it makes Miles look like a rip-off.

It’s also why all the people who have carried the Captain America shield (Bucky, Falcon, etc) never really took.

This will be long. . .somewhat complicated.

I use the term Latino as a simplified term to describe the umbrella I have been designated under by our United States of America bureaucracy. What I should have said is, and most appropriate, “I am of Salvadoran descent”. My thoughts on the term “latino” (and Hispanic) aren’t positive, but I used it (as I said before) to make things simple for people that may not know or care to know of the little country of El Salvador.

Now this may clarify or pinpoint what I think of the Miles Morales’ character as far as the meaning of his “race”:

Latin-America was originally indigenous up until Spain came in and ravaged everything (all Europe did, and displaced many from different countries along the way to the New World). Virtually assimilating (or killing off) every native into their culture, government, and religion. As more natives of Spain mixed with natives of latin-america, this new “bi-racial” group ultimately became the majority along with sympathizers who didn’t appreciate a Master and Servant culture. Over time, other countries from around the world assisted certain regions and help drive out Spain from latin-america. Probably most notable is Mexico. French came in to help Mexico kick out the Spaniards. However, the French tried to pull a fast one on Mexico and govern it, but on May 5th they were ultimately driven away by the Mexican people. And Cinco de Mayo was later adopted in the U.S. as an excuse to share cold ones (or hard shots) with friends.

The term Afro-latino doesn’t really exist in latin-america, and the actual race component, the way we perceive it in the U.S. is missing. What latin-america does have is a fascination with lighter skin. Apparently it’s more desirable, but it’s not a prevailing sentiment, but more of a personal desire to be more appealing to others. Of course, you need people to play the role of looking down on everyone who they deem inferior.

As a latino, I do not relate to someone simply because they speak spanish or have a spanish name. I relate to them if they have similar sensibilities as I do. If I know, regardless of their ancestry, that someone comes from the same country my parents were born, then I may be more inclined to make a connection with that person. Our sentiment is more of a nationalistic one. It is why it’s offensive when someone assumes that I am Mexican. Not because I think Mexicans are inferior to me, but because I feel the country of El Salvador is presumed not to exist. Therefore, only Mexico exists and everyone must be Mexican. Personally, as someone born in the U.S. I live in duopoly. I hold pride of my birthplace (Los Angeles) and where my parents are from, because that is how my enhanced perspective originated.

Now, am I what would be described as Afro-Latino. No. I am not even sure if my native ancestry is Aztec or Mayan. I do know that my family has Spanish ancestry, as opposed to any other country in Africa, Europe or Asia, which El Salvador has pockets of people from those countries too that identify themselves as Salvadoran.

I know it took long to answer your simple question, but my answer may make more sense now. I do not identify with Miles because at this point, unless I research, I do not know what country he comes from. From my assumption, he may come from one of the U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, etc.) which in my opinion would be considered an American citizen and not necessarily someone I can identify with in terms of similar struggles that I have experienced. Now if he were of Dominican, Cuban, Panamanian, Belize, any sovereign Caribbean nation then I would identify with him more since he would be experienced, or would be once or twice removed, with the struggles one faces in the process of finding a better life for yourself and those that may come after you. I find that more compelling.

Right now, Miles Morales may struggle with typical American borne racism, just like it was covered beautifully in The New 52 Justice League of America #14, where Stargirl shares her concern with Steve Trevor about Simon Baz’s personal struggle. I can relate with that type of conflict, but it can be with anyone who is American. You don’t get brownie points with me only because of a Spanish name.