On 11/24/2020 at 11:51 PM, NotNamed said:Isn't that sort of stereotyped and impractical, though? Like having a Scottish superhero wear a kilt?
Kilts & Islamic garments are very, very different things. Scottish people wear kilts (a). Because they have to in a ceremonial or military context or (b). Because they want to celebrate their 'glorious' history of clan affiliation (some people in Scotland believe that they are honouring their ancient ancestral 'clan' by wearing a specific pattern of tartan on their kilts & etc. Sadly, historical research has shown that the idea of clans dates back to the late Victoria era, and the resurgence in historical nationalism & romanticism in the literature of the time). So, it's not really different to choosing to wear a tie.
This is very different to the clothes worn by Islamic women. Muslim women may 'choose' (or choose, I guess) what they wear according to (a). How orthodox they are and (b). Where they live and what type of Islam is their law (secular and religious). So, that means you may wear just a headscarf (hijab), a niqab (the 'letterbox' veil, where only the eyes are visible, like Dust from X-Men) or the burkha (total coverage, headscarf and veil. Closest thing in Marvel Legends would be the AIM soldiers, but with a scarf rather than a weird helmet-thing).
Or, probably most commonly, they may wear none of those things. Ms Marvel is a case in point: no part of her costume is explicitly religious/Islamic, but that's because the character is a modern, progressive young Liberal Muslim living in a pre-dominantly secular society (her mum, however, does wear the hijab). Neither cosplay, nor regular, Ms Marvel (solely judged by costume) could be considered a stereotype in any way.
But the point is kilts = secular, fashion choice. Hijab/niqab/burkha = expressions of faith and/or legal requirement to wear.
Personally, I don't get offended by, say, the name Scalphunter (NOT a Muslim!) and think Marvel's explanation for changing it to 'Greycrow' (it causes offense to Native Americans, apparently) are weak. I'm actually okay with stereotypes in comics because you work on the basis that a really cool character, or costume, can explain something about that character without painfully long lectures. Dani Moonstar's bow & arrow & both Proudstar brothers' codenames are a bit cliche; as is calling the token British superhero agent type Union Jack; the mutant from Japan just has to be a (Silver) Samurai and so on. But, in the hands of great comic writers, clichs like this can be explored, rejected, challenged and subverted (but ONLY as a MINOR part of a book/story). Marvel hasn't got too many great (or good) writers nowadays though, so ponderous extended dialogue about identity politics takes the place of exposition, character development and thematic progression, IMHO.
And this cosplay Ms Marvel? I like it. Please could someone who doesn't get a Marvel Unlimited Subscription anyway, shout me & eBay it? This was the only way I could get Rescue, and she was worth every penny of the 60.00 I paid.
Now, anyone who has got this far, wake up, and tell me which Marvel Comics character/Legends figure(s) or characters ARE offensive to you, and why.