Immigration is receiving both liberal and conservative views, and has become a hot topic on the ballot. Whether or not to establish immigration reform solely lies upon the people of the United States; But not all wish to show the positive outcomes of having immigrants in the United States.
Pop culture has served as propaganda for many years, whether it was a poster of Uncle Sam pointing at the viewer to be in the army or the three-minute commercial break that smashes a logo in the viewers face, propaganda is everywhere.
With pop culture, many characters have been invented to help imagination become reality. The logo of Superman has been plastered all over the media and on merchandise, even becoming an American symbol; Superman comic books have even outsold Captain America issues. But why is this fact so surprising? No one ever talks about the fact that Superman is an immigrant.
This essay attempts to answer the question: How do American superhero graphic novels by Marvel and DC Comics display the idea that all immigrants should be Americanized?
In order to answer this question, the actual definition of an immigrant must be defined, as well as noting differences in the definition and the stereotypes.
Through the stereotypes, it is examined how different characters have saved themselves from being a part of the stereotype or have become a victim to the stereotype. The essay explores the examples of both Americanized and those who maintain the culture publicly, as well as changes in comic book characters after traumatic events in American History, such as World War II and 9/11.
In conclusion, comic books are serving as propaganda to pass on the belief that without being Americanized, immigrants will gain nothing....
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...fected the personality and actions of the characters that they have created.
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby – Marvel’s Superwriters
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby are known as the main stars behind the scenes of Marvel Entertainment comics.
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster – Creators of the Man of Steel
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were both born to Jewish families at a time in which Anti-Semitism was increasing. The pair of future collaborators would later meet each other at Glenville High School.
Marv Wolfman – Creator of the Teen Titans
Marv Wolfman was born in New York to a housewife and a police officer.
Conclusion
Political leaders are not the only ones to choose a side on whether or not immigration reform is needed. The media has highlighted these views through the usage of propaganda, especially through comic books and movies based off the comic books.
The grand narrative history of the United States falsely believes that we are a nation of immigrants. If one reads between the lines and digs deep...
While both political cartoons indicate anti-immigration sentiments after the influx of European immigrants, “Columbia’s Unwelcome Guests” focuses on the nature of immigration due to U.S. immigration polices while “The Mortar of Assimilation” addresses the struggle of attaining Americanization.
Stanley Martin Lieber, or as the nerd world calls him, Stan Lee, found national renown by building the Marvel Franchise into what it is today, a multi-million dollar company that publishes comic books, shoots movies, designs video games, and creates their own television shows.
Let’s discuss a little bit of comic book history for starters. The most iconic superhero in all of American comic book history has got to be Superman. He was created near the beginning of superhero comic books and debuted in Action Comics #1 in 1938[1]. He would remain as the blueprint for many superheroes for years to come as the atypical white American male. But as the years go by there were comic book heroes that came out that go against this archetype such as Wonder
Obama Administration proposed what is called Comprehensive Immigration Reform. It is composed of six sections aimed at fixing the current immigration system. It includes enhanced border enforcement, interior enforcement and the most controversial section; an amnesty program to legalize undocumented immigrants. In other words, it creates a pathway to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants that is fair and feasible. Many argue that even though Comprehensive Immigration Reform is good for America because it addresses important issues like creating a committee to adopt the number of visas available to changing economic times, preventing people from working without permits and creating programs aimed at helping immigrants adjust to life in America. Yet it rewards violators of current U.S. laws who entered the country illegally, and those who entered the country legally but overstayed their visas. Opponents of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform proposal claim that immigrants have a negative impact on the economy; overwhelming social services of many states, and posing a threat to American workers as a result of big corporations exploiting immigrants with low wages and poor working conditions. With the recent economic downturn and the severe recession that hit the U.S, many individuals blame immigrants for their economic misfortune and lack of employment. For both the opponents and proponents of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Proposal, for the millions of the undocumented immigrants and their families, and lawmakers; immigration has become an emotional political issue. Despite the resistance of many, America should embrace comprehensive immigration reform.
The United States is in the midst of a major debate over immigrants and their place in our economic and political life. As during other times in our history, immigrants, are being blamed for causing or contributing to the social, economic and political ills of our society. Politicians from both major parties, at both the national and state levels, are promoting a range of punitive legislative proposals that single out immigrants for adverse treatment by the government. Many violate basic civil liberties principles.
A major issue that is always brought up at political debates is the issue of immigration. “Many Americans think the U.S. immigration system is urgently in need of reform” (Lee). The current immigration policy has started to decrease the number of illegals in America. As of right now, we currently have 20,000 Border Patrol Agents deployed along the borders (Lee). Although the number of illegals being deported is at an all-time high, Americans are still very concer...
Throughout the past centuries, immigration has had many positive and negative impacts on our country and society. Law and order have been the founding cornerstone of our democracy, and the mandate of the U.S. Constitution is for Congress to do the work of the people and that of the nation. Immigration has continuously been a passionate debate within our society. This particular topic will always be a sensitive subject due to Americans personal beliefs and morals.
“We are nation of immigrants. Some came here willingly, some unwillingly. Nonetheless, we are immigrants, or the descendants of immigrants, one, and all. Even the natives came from somewhere else, originally. All of the people who come to this country come for freedom, or for some product of that extraordinary, illusory condition. That is what we offer here—freedom and opportunity in a land of relative plenty.” (Middletown Journal 2005)
"Immigrants and the American Dream." Society 33.n1 (Nov-Dec 1995):3(3). Expanded Academic ASAP. Thomson Gale University. 26 Sep. 2006.
When a person sees a new advertisement or commercial for their favorite shoe company, they immediately want to go and check out their latest designs. Similarly, propaganda uses different sources of media to encourage people to buy a certain item that will benefit their country or an organization. Propaganda was used in World War II to encourage citizens to buy certain tools or participate in certain events to help the soldiers fighting. Both video and radio advertisements were used by the Allied and Axis powers to encourage citizens to aid the war effort, resulting in a rise of nationalism and resentment towards opposing sides.
Batman was created after Detective Comics (D.C.) wanted a new super hero to follow-up after Superman. In May of 1933, Bob Kane and Bill Finger created Batman. Bob was born on October 24, 1915 and died November 3, 1998. Bill was born February 8, 1914 and died January 1974. Bill always loved comics as a child and still when he went to high school at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx New York. He and Bob went to the same high school but never socialized because they were in different classes. Bob meet Bill when Bill was working as a shoe salesman. They worked on many comics together for kids comic books and local newspapers. When they found out that Detective Comics (D.C.) wanted a new super hero they went to work. One day Bob came to Bill with a character, Batman. Bill liked the idea but said it looked too much like Superman. The original illustration had a Robin style mask and red outfit. So Bob took a Webster’s Dictionary and found a picture of a bat. He added bat ears to the mask, giving the full mask a more mysterious look. He changed the colors to black and yellow and added a cape that was cut like bat wings. When writing the comics Bill made Batman’s personality a...
Many would think a name this well known would have started big in order to become big, however that was not the situation. Marvel actually struggled with its creation, but managed to pull through to become the big success that it is today. The recognized name was at first what one would call a copycat; whatever stories were selling Marvel would sell, too. As a founder of the company put it “whatever other people were selling, we would do the same thing… I liked to come up with my own stuff, but I was getting paid”(qtd. in Lacter). If originality was not a conflict, competition certainly was. During the 1940’s DC Comics was America’s top mark in the comic industry with the creation of original superheroes and plots, such as Superman. However Marvel was not so easily crushed, thanks to one man’s dream of creating his own characters. Stan Lee was born during the Depression, a time in which many were struggling to pull through. “My earliest recoll...
“The Golden Age of Comics” PBS. PBS, 2011 Web. Retrieved on February 11 2014 from http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/feature/the-golden-age-of-comics/
Pop culture is a reflection of social change, not a cause of social change” (John Podhoretz). It encompasses the advertisements we see on T.V, the clothes we wear, the music we listen to, and it’s the reason Leonardo DiCaprio has not won an Oscar yet. It defines and dictates the desires and fears of the mainstream members of society and it is so ingrained into our lives that it has become as natural as breathing. Moreover, adults never even bat an eyelash at all the pop culture and advertising that surrounds them since it has become just another part of everyday life. Pop culture is still somewhat seen as entertainment enjoyed by the lower class members of society but pop culture standards change over time.