Episode 09: Superheroes and Representation in the Comic Book Universe

Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast

We’re in the full swing of summer, and Chevon and Hiba are diving into a conversation about representation in the superhero universe and the comic book world!

DC Comics authors Gene Luen Yang and Minh Le join our hosts to talk about their projects “Superman Smashes The Klan” and “Green Lantern Legacy” and how their art and stories fit into the broader context around diversity and inclusion in superhero narratives. The conversation explores the origins of some of our modern superheroes, the influence of the events of WWII and the Civil Rights movement, and why comics are as important as ever to young readers of color.

Next time on our season finale, we’ll be shouting out some of our fans that have left us reviews –– stay tuned, same Momentum time, same Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast!

Resources (by order of mention)

Wes Moore Talks Fighting Poverty, Budget Priority, Systemic Change + His New Book (via The Breakfast Club Power 105.1)

https://bit.ly/38BdomY

Gene Luen Yang

Official Website

https://geneyang.com/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/geneluenyang

Gene Luen Yang: Comics Belong in the Classroom (via Ted Talks)

https://www.ted.com/talks/gene_luen_yang_comics_belong_in_the_classroom

Superman Smashes The Klan (via DC Comics)

https://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/superman-smashes-the-klan-periodical-2019/superman-smashes-the-klan

Minh Le

Official Website

http://minhlebooks.com/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/bottomshelfbks

Green Lantern Legacy (via DC Comics)

https://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/green-lantern-legacy

March (series) by US Congressman John Lewis

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/1MA/march

Thich Nhat Hanh: The Monk Who Taught The World Mindfulness Awaits the End of This Life (via Time Magazine)

https://time.com/5511729/monk-mindfulness-art-of-dying/

The Shadow Hero

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18465601-the-shadow-hero

The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye by Sonny Liew

http://artofcharliechan.com/

Captain America Truth: Red, White & Black

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/670341.Truth

About Race Forward:

Race Forward catalyzes movement building for racial justice. In partnership with communities, organizations, and sectors, we build strategies to advance racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture. Race Forward imagines a just, multiracial, democratic society, free from oppression and exploitation, in which people of color thrive with power and purpose.

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Executive Producers:

Hendel Leiva and Melissa Franqui