Growing up Black In Gen (Adam) West
As a Black member of the Adam West Generation I HAD to be my own superhero growing up.
Local society ignored my merit; dismissed concerns and accepted only its LIMITED role for me.
In college I had a poem published in Catalyst Magazine called, ” If Batman Were Black “. This literary journal was based out of Atlanta and had me walking on air. The poem offered an alternate reality where Bruce Wayne and his alter ego funded both the NAACP and South Africa’s freedom movement in addition to a very busy state side schedule.
Comic books then, as now, fueled my rage to achieve. An accompanying anger toward ( particularly Southern ) discrimination remains to this day.
Boyhood supervillains from print or TV couldn’t match the local racist domination of politics; law enforcement; education and private industry. They spewed obstacles in Black youth path the way Caesar Romero’s Joker did gadgets.
Portrayals of the Soviet Politburo; the KGB; East Germany’s Stasi secret police, etc. paled beside the intimidators of Savannah, GA, during that era.
Southern-friend totalitarianism is an evil worthy of Adam West’s Batman.
I’ve always practiced a civic ” theology ” if you will that seeks the super self in pulp novels; comic books; science fiction and all other genres.
In this pantheon Adam West and his Batman character approach secular sainthood.
Damon Wayans 1994 Movie ” Blankman ” illustrated West impact on Black fans in this generation.
Superheroes hold special appeal for anyone who’s been marginalized. In my case the marginalization was due to color while with other Gen Westers different culprits apply.
I had to be my own superhero growing up and Adam West’s Batman was excellent inspiration for deadly serious activist crusading- minus the cape but a wardrobe upgrade is in the works ( lol ).
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK is a super rights activist who promotes crime prevention and self-development. http://www.captblack.info