Op-Ed: Captain America and the Tea Party

Last week Captain America #602 featured this image, it featured a group familiar to many who have watched the news at all in recent months, a Tea Party. This image has recently been in the news, many in the Tea Party, who it's doubtful even read the comic, felt offended at their portrayal in this issue. Since image started making news I have had numerous people ask me my opinion on the matter, so I figure this is the perfect platform for many to share my thoughts on the matter. While living in a solid red state I understand the mindset of the Tea Baggers all too well. This group of white middle class conservatives, are in a collective mood feeling disgruntled and disillusioned by the way the government is working. They feel that those in their government are only looking out for themselves and not the people, this is a sentiment shared people all over the political spectrum. The Tea Partiers, in their disgruntled state have proved themselves susceptible to those looking to take advantge of them, the worst offenders being; Glenn Beck and his crazed rants as well as Sarah Palin and her petty brain dead talking points. Thanks to these people the Tea Party has been manipulated into thinking that all those who did not fit into their mold of a hardcore conservative are responsible for all the nations ills, disregarding the fact that diverse ideals are part of what makes are nation great.

In the issue Captain America and his sidekick, the Falcon must infiltrate a group of militia men seeking to overthrow the government and stop the decoy Cap' on their side. In order to find them the two heroes had to observe the before mentioned Tea Party. They point out the lack of minoritiies in the crowd and show their doubt that the Falcon, America's first African American hero, would fit in with the crowd. This idea has sparked much outcry among the movement, claiming that they have a large diversity of people. They have a valid point as in my research I have found that a few African Americans do take part in these rallies; but anybody who has seen the footage of these rallies can see that these African Americans are few and far between. By far the image from the page that has drawn the most anger is the sign one of the protestors is holding stating, "Tea Bag The Libs Before They Tea Bag YOU!". Many in the Tea Party movement claim this shows them in a negative light, one conservative blogger claimed that Marvel had made them the super villains. I personally fail to see how this sign vilifies these indivisuals especially given this image which shows almost the exact same sign at an actual rally. If anything this particular sign gives the authenticity to the scene in the comics.

Throughout his run Ed Brubaker has made Captain America the most topical series in comics. This is staying true to the characters roots, as a hero who has always served as the pulse of the country, ever since his first appearance which showed him punching Hitler, even before the United States entered World War II. In order to truly relfect American society in the comics, Brubaker had to take Cap to Middle America where these Tea Parties occur. I have read the issue multiple times and did not see a single shred of evidence that those in the Tea Party were being portrayed in a negative light, they were simply there to add to the authenticity of Captain America's adventure. The villains in this story is clearly the terroristic militia and the phoney Captain America leading them, not the Tea Partiers. If anything the Tea Partiers should be flattered that one of Marvel's most critically acclaimed titles is showing them as they truly are; not as villains or nutjobs but honest hardworking Americans who are concerned for their nation.One final thought, you have to doubt that Captain America, a hero who saw first hand the horrors committed by the Nazi would stand for Americans who would dare compare their elected leader to them just to score political points against a president they simply disagree with.