Episode 9
Is Superman the New Woke Avenger?
Yo, folks! We’re diving headfirst into the buzz around the new Superman movie, and lemme tell ya, it’s not just flying high at the box office; it’s stirring up a whole pot of controversy soup! Some peeps are calling it "too woke," but we’re here to spill the tea on that! I mean, Superman has always been about that immigrant vibe, right? We’re talkin’ about a character born from Jewish immigrants who’s been fighting for equality since back in the day. So, is this a rebrand or just a return to the roots? Let’s break it down, have a laugh, and figure out if Clark Kent’s new adventures are truly a flight of fancy or just a good ol’ superhero story with a sprinkle of modern spice! Tune in, and let’s get this party started!
Transcript
Good morning.
Speaker A:It's haystack, and the new Superman movie is out.
Speaker A:It's done very well at the box office, but of course, it's packing more than just heat vision.
Speaker A:It's packing a little bit of controversy.
Speaker A:As people have said.
Speaker A:The new Superman is woke.
Speaker A:It's too woke.
Speaker A:James Gunn really kind of leans into the whole Superman's an immigrant, an alien from other planet thing.
Speaker A:And a lot of people are saying, well, it's a metaphor for.
Speaker A:For, you know, the current thing.
Speaker A:And it's all about inclusion.
Speaker A:And so conservative voices like Dean Cain, a previous Superman actor, slammed it as woke.
Speaker A:Said it was a hijacking of the man of Steel's legacy.
Speaker A:Uh, Dean Cain complained that Superman is no longer about truth, justice, and the American way.
Speaker A:But here's the thing.
Speaker A:If you're really into the history of Superman, Superman was always an immigrant hero.
Speaker A: The character was created in: Speaker A: Superman fought the KKK in: Speaker A:Superman has essentially always stood for equality.
Speaker A:The whole immigrant narrative is really and truly baked into Superman's DNA.
Speaker A:This isn't a political rebrand.
Speaker A:This isn't a wokeification of Superman.
Speaker A:It's basically just a return to the basics of Superman.
Speaker A:Open to $217 million globally, it is the highest grossing solo Superman film ever.
Speaker A:It's the, I think the highest grossing weekend, opening weekend for a DC Universe film.
Speaker A:And it seems people are excited.
Speaker A:Most people say that it's really, really good.
Speaker A:I finally got around to going to watch it yesterday.
Speaker A:Went to see it at the Malco Razorback there near the mall in Fayetteville, and.
Speaker A:And I had a great time watching it.
Speaker A:Now, here's the thing.
Speaker A:When friends ask me, what did you think?
Speaker A:I am.
Speaker A:I am very cautious to not use the word great too often.
Speaker A:And I said, I don't know if I'd call it great, but it was really good.
Speaker A:If it wasn't great, it was really close to being great, for sure.
Speaker A:I just wonder, though, with all this discussion, all this controversy around, was it woke?
Speaker A:What will the next Superman movie be?
Speaker A:Superman versus the ID card?
Speaker A:Superman versus ice?
Speaker A:Or if you know anything about me, you understand that I'm a very much kind of call it like it is person.
Speaker A:And I. I don't.
Speaker A:I'm not.
Speaker A:I'm not great with nuance.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker A:Let's just.
Speaker A:If we're gonna make him super woke, then let's make him super woke.
Speaker A:Maybe something like this.
Speaker B:Faster than a speeding bullet.
Speaker B:Oh, dear.
Speaker B:The word bullet is problematic.
Speaker B:More eco friendly than a solar powered light rail locomotive able to leap a tall rent stabilized building in a single bound.
Speaker A:I apologize for excluding the visually impaired, but look up in the sky.
Speaker B:It's a free range bird.
Speaker A:It's a private plane with a huge carbon footprint.
Speaker A:It's super woke man.
Speaker B:Now it's super woke person who, identifying as Clark Kent, mild mannered reporter with pronouns in his email signature, fights a never ending battle for your lived truth, social justice and the American way, despite our shameful systemic and institutional inequalities.
