'The Falcon and The Winter Soldier' Episode 2 Spoilers: 'Black Falcon' remark shows post-blip world is racist
Spoilers for 'The Falcon and The Winter Soldier' Episode 2 'The Star-Spangled Man'
One of the major themes explored in 'The Falcon and The Winter Soldier' was racism that was present in the post-blip world. The second episode, 'The Star-Spangled Man', confirms that the world after the devastating battle with Thanos isn't really a great place to be, and perhaps the bigger evil comes in the form of racism. Two scenes in the episode serve as a rude reminder that racism was a disease that couldn't be cured.
The first comes in the form of Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) being called 'Black Falcon' by one of the small Black Kids who see him and Bucky when they head to meet Isiah Bradley, the second Captain America in the episode. "Hey, it's the Black Falcon!" the kid screams, to which Sam replies, "It's just Falcon, kid."
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The boy refuses to acknowledge, saying his father told him that Wilson was the 'Black Falcon'. Sam asks: "Is it because I am Black and I am the Falcon?" and the boy responds, "Well, technically, I mean yes." This was one of the sadder parts of the show that racism is still prevalent and the show makes no secret of the fact that superheroes in the post-blip world are not spared due to their color.
Up next was Sam and Bucky's bitter meeting with Isiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), a former Captain America who was treated badly by the government despite being a hero. Despite his stellar contribution during the Korean war, Bradley was jailed for 30 years and his existence was kept a secret. He reveals that he was experimented upon by both HYDRA and the government. Steve Rogers wasn't aware of the secret either.
This encounter leaves Sam livid as he slams Bucky for not telling the world there was a 'Black Captain America'. This could be attributed to racism as well since the country at that point in the '60s saw racism as a major issue. Adding to this was a White cop who was unaware that Sam was an Avenger and threatens to arrest him while asking Bucky if he is okay when the duo argues after meeting Bradley. 'The Star-Spangled Man' just goes to show that the post-blip world has its share of issues in the form of new threats and villains, but even more so in the form of racism and division.
What are your thoughts on racism being highlighted in the episode?
'The Falcon and The Winter Soldier' Episode 2 is available for streaming on Disney+.
