Storm Week: Hypersexual Stereotypes

[RolandJP]

A Chinese woman walking through the Traditional African Art section of an American art musuem saw some human sculptures with pronounced phalluses and remarked, "The blacks are obsessed with sex, aren't they?" Unfortunately, such views of black Africans are not unique among museum guests and others. The cliched image of black hypersexuality has been circulating among non-Africans since the days of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and this is a stereotype that is still alive and well today.

A Marker of Hypersexuality in Western Mythology: A Contemporary Manifestation in the Love life of Ororo.

Despite criticisms of the Black Panther as engaging in historical revisionism of the character of Storm, a critical examination of the depiction of the character in the Black Panther title in contrast to Uncanny and other X-titles symbolic language reveals that both sides have engaged in, and circulate, centuries-old Western symbolism and mythology of black sexuality. The signification of the narrative relationship between the main character and her black servant ( as seen with T'Challa in some instances and Scott Summers playing the role of master of the X-mansion). Show an unwillingness of both to engage Storm on an equal basis. Ororo is seen as a character that must be mastered or an exotic plaything that is defined by sexuallity alone. A unique theme- that Storm seems to be trapped in. From the perspective of potential multiaccentual interpolation of the audience, that even a polysemic interpretation (from the hegemonic malegaze or a subversive female gaze) of the comic still reveals blackness as a marker of difference and hypersexuality.

[worstblogever]

And she shoots out lightning, to boot!

[Swashbuckler]

That first post is ridiculous. I don't think blacks are over-sexualized, just that whites are horribly under sexualized.

[worstblogever]

That first post is ridiculous. I don't think blacks are over-sexualized, just that whites are horribly under sexualized.

Swash, have you been reading the Shaggalicious Adventures of Scott & Emma that have been in Uncanny of late?

[Waterlily]

Swash, have you been reading the Shaggalicious Adventures of Scott & Emma that have been in Uncanny of late?

Does that really count as sex, though? I mean it's perverse, but I don't know if it qualifies as "sex".

[Yogaflame]

This is a highly relevant topic where Storm is concerned. Black women are often categorized into one of two roles: sexy exotic wildcat or tamed, submissive pussycat. The Western perspective seeks to either tame, capture or survive an passionate encounter with the wildcat or take advantage of the pussycat's domestic talents. Storm, while being an amazing character in so many ways, has largely fallen into one of the two categories for the vast majority of her written existence. She is either the fiercely-powerful warrior woman, or the den mother.

[jarrod]

I am offended on behalf of all Chinese women.

[Swashbuckler]

Are you calling Storm a cougar Bingo!?

[gorthon616]

A Chinese woman walking through the Traditional African Art section of an American art musuem saw some human sculptures with pronounced phalluses and remarked, "The blacks are obsessed with sex, aren't they?" Unfortunately, such views of black Africans are not unique among museum guests and others. The cliched image of black hypersexuality has been circulating among non-Africans since the days of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and this is a stereotype that is still alive and well today.

A Marker of Hypersexuality in Western Mythology: A Contemporary Manifestation in the Love life of Ororo.

Despite criticisms of the Black Panther as engaging in historical revisionism of the character of Storm, a critical examination of the depiction of the character in the Black Panther title in contrast to Uncanny and other X-titles symbolic language reveals that both sides have engaged in, and circulate, centuries-old Western symbolism and mythology of black sexuality. The signification of the narrative relationship between the main character and her black servant ( as seen with T'Challa in some instances and Scott Summers playing the role of master of the X-mansion). Show an unwillingness of both to engage Storm on an equal basis. Ororo is seen as a character that must be mastered or an exotic plaything that is defined by sexuallity alone. A unique theme- that Storm seems to be trapped in. From the perspective of potential multiaccentual interpolation of the audience, that even a polysemic interpretation (from the hegemonic malegaze or a subversive female gaze) of the comic still reveals blackness as a marker of difference and hypersexuality.

I've never thought of Storm as being "hyper-sexual." To be honest, most black women (off the top of my head) in Marvel comics are not hyper-sexual. I always took Storm as being relatively conservative to "hyper-sexual" characters, like Emma Frost or whomever else, I guess, can't think of any others.

For the record, I've never considered the stereotype to be about black women though, just black men. Which, for the record, does not seem to be a uniquely held stereotype to non-Africans. Just like most racial steretotypes are not unique to individuals who are not of that race.

I don't see how Scott is unwilling to deal with Storm on an equal basis. Storm beat him powerless and has lead the team plenty of times. Are you saying that Scott is an ego-driven dick who thinks that he is right above all others (except the Professor in the past, but that was the past)? Because he's pretty much like that to everyone.

BTW, are you writing a thesis or something?

[Deus ex Chris]

I find sexuality and gender issues to be pretty integral to Storm as a concept. For me, she's all about independence and empowerment, very much like Wonder Woman. Feminists haven't really adopted Storm in that way, but the Claremont issues--while being kinky and often repetitive--are very pro-feminism or at the very least pro-Storm. His Storm is the woman that powerful men objectify and attempt to control to their regret. She's the unconquerable and the unafraid, and I think that's important. It sets her apart. It's also part of the reason so many fans have had trouble with her marriage to the Black Panther. Much of what she was has been undermined and at times even lost.

[gorthon616]

This is a highly relevant topic where Storm is concerned. Black women are often categorized into one of two roles: sexy exotic wildcat or tamed, submissive pussycat. The Western perspective seeks to either tame, capture or survive an passionate encounter with the wildcat or take advantage of the pussycat's domestic talents. Storm, while being an amazing character in so many ways, has largely fallen into one of the two categories for the vast majority of her written existence. She is either the fiercely-powerful warrior woman, or the den mother.

You actually list three. The submissive, the wildcat, and the den mother. Den mother != submissive, particularly when talking about Storm.

And that's not restricted to black women. I don't even feel that is restricted to fictional storytelling. Those are just the three standard emotional drives that women have and balance between themselves.

- Emma
Primary - Wildcat, With Scott - Submissive/Wildcat, With others - Wildcat/Den Mother
- Jean
Primary - Den Mother/Submissive, With Scott - Den Mother, With Logan - Wildcat, With others, Submissive/Den Mother
- Kitty
Primary - Submissive, With Peter - Submissive/Wildcat (per Whedon: Wildcat/Submissive), When Emma's around - Den Mother

These are just the basic building blocks of personality archetypes.

[RolandJP]

O, Gorthon, Yoga-all excellent posts. I was referring more to fan identification, in lue of authorship. With the number of highly sexually charged STORM threads..i just marginalized the topic as some have done. I see why T'Challa received so much hate. i had no idea what Storm represented. Panther took away their sexual Santa Claus.

But I digress--anywho, you are right the same could be said of Emma or Black Widow, etc. I did not mean to imply race as the only qualifier. i was just gettin my grove on.

I like 3 dimensional characters, but that takes time to develop. I may jibe Emma but the character is viable and interesting. I just hope that marvel continues to strive toward character development and not characterization.

And yes i have done a thesis or two on many Marvel characters. It was and is a madness I have. :tongue: My professors loved them. Sort of like taking a Hamburger and writing a review of a big Mac like I was tasting the finest wines in France. (A lark)

[jarrod]

I don't think Kitty generally plays the submissive as an adult, looking back at her latter day Excalibur career or in X-Treme. Maybe you could make the case for Astonishing, but honestly that covers so little of Kitty's adult life.

She's really more wildcat. Hell, she basically *is* like Emma when you get down to it, just replace the cliche snark with annoying brattiness.

[MuhollandDriver]

I find sexuality and gender issues to be pretty integral to Storm as a concept. For me, she's all about independence and empowerment, very much like Wonder Woman. Feminists haven't really adopted Storm in that way, but the Claremont issues--while being kinky and often repetitive--are very pro-feminism or at the very least pro-Storm. His Storm is the woman that powerful men objectify and attempt to control to their regret. She's the unconquerable and the unafraid, and I think that's important. It sets her apart. It's also part of the reason so many fans have had trouble with her marriage to the Black Panther. Much of what she was has been undermined and at times even lost.

Perfectly stated. Despite the "Claremazon" concept....Claremont did write women in very interesting, unique ways. Storm was not the only one. Illyana Rasputin is another that comes to mind. i don't remember her as sexualized as she is on that Inferno cover.

Say what You want about Claremont....the current female representation in the X-Books pale in comparison.

Right now....Dust is the only layered female character i can come up with. She and poor Dani are the only female members on that team. i remember the days when the women carried the emotional weight of the books.

Now, women are often portrayed from the point of view of the men. It's too bad.

[darknessatnoon]

Say what You want about Claremont....the current female representation in the X-Books pale in comparison.

... etc etc etc...

Now, women are often portrayed from the point of view of the men. It's too bad.

Have you read the Storm and Magik mini he wrote? CC blatantly sexualized little Ilyanna - at Storm's hands no less!

[RolandJP]

4 and counting


STORM WEEK: The "Storm is VERY Friendly" Thread

STORM WEEK: Did Storm sexually abuse Kitty Pryde?

Storm Week: Pendulum of Love

STORM WEEK: At home with the Elelments (Showers in the Rain)

[jarrod]

Have you read the Storm and Magik mini he wrote? CC blatantly sexualized little Ilyanna - at Storm's hands no less!
Wasn't it revealed in CC's New Mutants that Illyana hoarded Playboys under her bed?

[MarvelGirlBoy]

I find sexuality and gender issues to be pretty integral to Storm as a concept. For me, she's all about independence and empowerment, very much like Wonder Woman. Feminists haven't really adopted Storm in that way, but the Claremont issues--while being kinky and often repetitive--are very pro-feminism or at the very least pro-Storm. His Storm is the woman that powerful men objectify and attempt to control to their regret. She's the unconquerable and the unafraid, and I think that's important. It sets her apart. It's also part of the reason so many fans have had trouble with her marriage to the Black Panther. Much of what she was has been undermined and at times even lost.

I like Storm more every time you post.

Black feminists have also protested their perspectives' exclusion from feminist thought - that feminism in the mainstream focuses on the white middle class, etc.

It's sad that Claremont's tropes got so repetitive, because at their heart, they said really important things about the era.

Plus, Storm has bootay.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v413/Tumbleweed45/bum_Small_copy_1.jpg

[darknessatnoon]

From the perspective of potential multiaccentual interpolation of the audience, that even a polysemic interpretation (from the hegemonic malegaze or a subversive female gaze) of the comic still reveals blackness as a marker of difference and hypersexuality.

There are many things wrong with this post. Most glaring to me is that you've mistaken interpellation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpellation) for interpolation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpolation_(manuscripts)).

[RolandJP]

There are many things wrong with this post. Most glaring to me is that you've mistaken interpellation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpellation) for interpolation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpolation_(manuscripts)).

What can I say, " i gave my proof reader the week off"

[Deus ex Chris]

I like Storm more every time you post.
LOL

Awesome! I wish everybody viewed her through my eyes.

[eurazn]

I was referring more to fan identification, in lue of authorship. With the number of highly sexually charged STORM threads..i just marginalized the topic as some have done.

The only character appreciation weeks I've seen here at CBR were for Dazzler, Sage and now Storm. Yes, I suppose I haven't been around for very long, but did we see threads like "Cyclops: Perfect Hair Forever" or "Who has a tighter ass, Iceman or Angel?" during previous weeks centered around male characters?

Granted, I objectify everyone (I'm the best at what I do, what can I say), but I'm just wondering if the sheer amount of threads like these would equal what we're seeing in Storm week.

[darknessatnoon]

The only character appreciation weeks I've seen here at CBR were for Dazzler, Sage and now Storm. Yes, I suppose I haven't been around for very long, but did we see threads like "Cyclops: Perfect Hair Forever" or "Who has a tighter ass, Iceman or Angel?" during previous weeks centered around male characters?

Granted, I objectify everyone (I'm the best at what I do, what can I say), but I'm just wondering if the sheer amount of threads like these would equal what we're seeing in Storm week.

Angel has the tighter ass.

[eurazn]

Angel has the tighter ass.

That may be true, but clearly Iceman has gone through more personal turmoil and character development in order to emerge with these abs:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d67/wairata/XMEN204_int-3.jpg

[RolandJP]

Storm Complicated view

This _feminine icon of Xmen Iore has undergone numerous transformations--Both physically and mentally, it is the Mental/Metaphorical changes that fascinate me most.

In the beginning of the character's birth Chris Claremont explored the duality of the human condition. Seen with the threat of the phoenix force or unleashing of uncontrollable forces.

In crude terms this explored the:
1) Madonna/Whore Complex.--->which revolves around the dichotomy of how some men can view women as two distinct and separate personas, that of saint and mother, or of sinner and whore-->one attributed with evil the other with good.

Years later, in the Uncanny title--Storm is introduced to a feminine form of Dandism IE Quaintrelle>>as characterized>> a woman who emphasizes a life of passion expressed through personal style, leisurely pastimes, charm, and cultivation of life’s Incurvatus in se (Latin: turned/curved inward on oneself) is a theological phrase describing a life lived "inward" for self rather than "outward" a super Hubris.

The consequence of which, resulted in the genocide of mutants in Genosha and the death of the mutant cause as chronicled by scribes Morrison and Ellis.