I knew from the beginning that Mighty Avengers, the predominantly minority-led superhero team by Marvel Comics, would draw a lot of slack. But what I didn’t expect was negative comments about Monica Rambeau’s new appearance, specifically her new hairstyle, to pour in by the masses.
Monica Rambeau, aka Spectrum, is a beautiful, intelligent, strong, and determined African-American woman. I am also an African-American female, with hair of black texture. Monica is representing to the fullest. So if you’re talking about her, then you’re also talking about me.
In case you don’t already know, this blog consists of my HONEST comic reviews, and my HONEST rants and tantrums. Every blog post consists of my thoughts only, because I am not influenced by anyone.
I am literally shocked by the comments that I have been reading since Mighty Avengers debut issue. Out of 20+ pages of this wonderfully crafted comic, written by Al Ewing, the only thing a lot of people mention is Monica’s hair. The haters and complainers of Mighty Avengers are complaining about Monica’s new hairstyle, as if her hair is a character. Last I checked, hair didn’t talk or fight. Well at least mine don’t.
What disturbs me, most of all, is the fact that I can tell that MOST of those comments about Monica’s hair are not even written by African-Americans.
First of all, what the hell does Monica’s hair has to do with anything?
How is it affecting her role in comics? It’s not.
Second, please stop with the notion that we (black women) relax our hair to conform to the standards of white beauty, because that’s just a pile of bullshit. Black women have worn relaxed hairstyles for years. We relax our hair to make it straight, just as white women perm their hair to make it curly.
And as for the mother mentioning the “burn” in the current issue, and above picture, a relaxer is a chemical. Chemicals burn irritated skin, especially relaxers that contain dye. So if you scratch your scalp before a relaxer application, it becomes irritated, and a possible burning sensation from the relaxer dye may occur.
So fucking what Monica Rambeau is no longer wearing braids and a damn trench coat. Getting rid of braids, afro, and opting to relax our hair instead, does not make us less black.
I read comments that stated a lot of black women like to stay natural, stick to our culture. Well that may be the case, but for those women. It’s not like that for all of us.
The main reason black women relax their hair is manageability/flexibility. Relaxed hair is easier to comb and style, and we’re not spending a lot of time in the mirror trying to “make do.”
Hair of black texture is coarse and dry. Our hair comes in three grades, fine (or good hair), medium, and coarse. My hair is medium grade, and I haven’t relaxed it in almost a year. But so what, it’s my choice. Just like it’s Al Ewing, Greg Land, and Valerio Schiti’s choice to design Monica’s appearance however they like.
Let’s take a look at Misty Knight.
Hairstyles, just like clothing, has to appropriately fit the occasion. Misty Knight, the African-American badass from The Fearless Defenders does not have the same abilities as Monica. She’s neither a beam of light, nor does she fly in the air. She kicks ass on the ground. Therefore, Misty’s braids and ponytail is befitting to her appearance in the comic.
On the other hand, I definitely would not want to look up and see Monica flying around with braids or a ‘fro. That would look totally ridiculous. Just as ridiculous as all those silly comments I read.
In other words, leave Monica Rambeau the hell alone.
With Schiti as the artist for the current issue, I thought maybe there would be more comments on his work, and Ewing’s writing. And less negative comments about Land’s work and Monica’s hair. I was wrong.
After reading the dialogue between Monica and the mother, I just knew all this nonsense about her hair would cease. Wrong again.
I like to visit comic message boards to interact with other comic fans. I don’t always comment, but I like to read a variety of posts and comments. But lately I’ve found it hard to find intellectual discussions about some of my favorite comic books, especially Mighty Avengers.
By the way, if you think black women wearing straightened hair is conforming to white society, then wait until this summer when I attend the 2014 World TSC Conference in Washington, D.C. My hair is going to be waist-length, silky-smooth and straight.
Since black heroes are not allowed to change their hairstyles,
then I guess Luke Cage should still look like this:
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