Anthony Mackie is the 1st Black on-screen ‘Captain America’
Anthony Mackie taking on the role of Captain America, a fictional comic book character initially portrayed as a white man with blond hair and blue eyes, isn’t groundbreaking to comic books fans.
The idea of a Black man as the patriotic superhero was introduced in 1998 by writer Mark Waid in the comic book “Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty,” where, according to Waid, Sam Wilson first “picked up the costume and took on the identity of Captain America,” reported NBC News.
Over two decades after Sam Wilson became Cap in the comics, a Black Captain America in the movie adaptations has turned into a contentious topic.
The issue of a Black Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe first arose after Chris Evans, who portrayed Cap on-screen for eight years, passed the mantle on to Mackie’s Falcon in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame.” Fans were upset with Evans’ departure.
Though some eventually warmed up to the idea after seeing Mackie in the 2021 critically acclaimed Disney+ series, “Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” where Mackie’s Falcon grapples with the complicated notion of what it means for a Black man to be Captain America, the vitriol against actor ramped back up during his press run for “Captain America: Brave New World.”
During a Q&A in January, fans threatened to boycott the film, because of Mackie’s comments on what he thinks Captain America represents.
“Captain America represents a lot of different things, and I don’t think the term ‘America’ should be one of those representations. It’s about a man who keeps his word and who has honor, dignity, and integrity. Someone who is trustworthy and dependable. This is like an aspect of a dream coming true,” the actor said at the time.
Following the backlash, Mackie has since clarified his comments, saying he’s a “proud American,” and that Captain America is “important for kids of all races.”
After armed neo-Nazis get protection, Black residents in Ohio express disbelief
Some Black leaders and residents in greater Cincinnati expressed dismay after armed, masked neo-Nazis were allowed to gather on a freeway bridge without arrest.
Some have called for a quick investigation of the response by Evendale police and Hamilton County sheriff’s deputies after the demonstration Feb. 7 on the Interstate 75 overpass between the Village of Evendale and Lincoln Heights, the latter a historically Black community, according to an article published by NBC News.
The biggest question for critics of the response is why none of the neo-Nazi demonstrators was arrested after the group was confronted by community members, firearms on display on both sides.
The Rev. Julian Armand Cook of Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church said in an interview with NBC News that the demonstration of hatred was shocking.
“To see it show up at the gateway to this historic community, the first, the oldest Black self-governed city north of the Mason-Dixon Line, it is very clear what message it is sending,” he said to NBC News. “So it was – I was angry. I was hurt. I was shocked.”
Evendale police said in a statement that officers were bound to protect the First Amendment rights of demonstrators and, even though the demonstration was carried out without a permit, it was legal.