The Themes Of Anti-Semitism In The X-Men Film

452 Words1 Page

In the article “X-Men as J-men.”, Baron points out the themes of anti-semitism and Jewish culture of modern America from the X-men film. The main antagonist of the the X-men movie, Magneto, had experienced the holocaust as a child. It is hinted at that these events had left deep trauma into the character, perhaps some PTSD. The character has a rooted superstition that humanity will only repeat history when prejudice behavior against the mutants is being shown. “Magneto comments, "I endured one death camp in Auschwitz. I will not see another people fear what they do not understand and destroy what they fear." (10). Magneto is compared to civil rights leader, Malcolm X. Malcolm X often preached to punish white americans for the prejudice African-Americans have had to endure for centuries. Magneto has done similar action. Forming the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, their goal was to eradicate mankind. There are many comparisons to the civil rights era in the X-men saga. Another comparison would be one protagonist, Dr. X. Dr. X is, …show more content…

The company has not been shy to include diverse characters into their comic books. Some of these characters consist of Blackpanther, Storm, Luke Cage, Storm, and Shang-chi. Within the X-men movie, it challenges the barriers of equality within America. “Wolverine battles with Magneto who is lurking in Liberty's torch. The staging of the finale visually illustrates the ideological fight over whether the United States belongs only to the ancestors of the Founding Fathers or to the diverse groups who continue to immigrate here seeking freedom and equality.” (33). The holocaust is a subject that is normally taught in American schools, making teenagers become aware of the bigotry and anti-semitism that has happened in the past. The movie is giving a message that history can repeat itself if mankind cannot adapt and accept the differences between each

Open Document