Racked Magazine: Superheroes without messy buns are sexist
In a shocking and ignorant attack on fictional characters, Racked published this piece ahead of the debut of Avengers: Infinity War: “Superheroes Don’t Wear Ponytails, and Yes, It’s Sexist.”
Here’s the premise: “So why don’t Black Widow, Gamora, Scarlet Witch, and Mantis — and even superheroines beyond Infinity War, from Wonder Woman to Jessica Jones, Elektra, Storm, and She-Hulk — ever seem to take a second to throw their hair into a chic chignon (or, more likely, a half-assed messy bun like the rest of us do before an activity as simple as getting on the elliptical)?
“The simplest answer is that comics are a visual medium, and a bunch of long, flowing hair swirling around during an already epic fight scene looks pretty cool. Camille Friend, the head of the hair departments for Marvel’s Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and the upcoming Captain Marvel starring Brie Larson, pretty much confirms that that’s at least the way Hollywood sees it.”
“In the history of superhero women in comic books, the hair has always been drawn down and flowing,” Friend explains. “When you are seeing them in action or flying, you want to be able to see the hair moving freely with the hair in constant motion.”
First off, it’s only fitting to point out that She-Hulk has NEVER been on the screen and Storm has had short hair.
Christina Dokou, an assistant professor of American literature and culture at the University of Athens, “explained” to Racked that the “boys’ club” legacy of comic books, in which female characters were stuck with sexist stereotypes, still endures. “Even today, the physical attributes and feminine beauty of superheroines are exaggerated to make them look like, well, frankly, porn stars at worst, and sexy female athletes at best.”
They listed off characters with shaved heads, linking their sexuality or gender identity with their comic book presentation.
It’s hard to take this level of social justice nonsense seriously. We are speaking of characters who fly, use magic, telepathy or are alien, so it’s pretty ridiculous to hold women to these standards. In fact, that’s sort of the point of escapism and appeal of these characters to the fans, including the female fans.
Thor and Aquaman made quite an impression with their long, flowing locks, a joke in Ragnarok was made at Thor’s expense over cutting his hair. The length of these characters’ hair didn’t seem to drive away their fans or the appeal to the ladies.
It’s truly bizarre how much effort is taken to hate on society and culture. Thanks Ranked. Now go and sell superhero hair ties, they will sell and NOT PROVE YOUR POINT ONE BIT.
