#BeingLatinxInComics: Miles MoralesThe topic of this months #BeingLatinxInComics chat was Miles Morales' Latinx identity (or lack of)! Culture,

language, and the importance of Latinx creators was discussed. Stay tuned for next months chat!

by Desiree Rodriguez 2 months ago

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

#BeingLatinxInComics: So today I want to talk about Miles Morales' latinx identity. Any initialthoughts?

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

For me, I think Miles represents the potential of telling really great stories of Afro-Latinx struggles &identity that we haven't seen yet.

Poké Badges in ATL@facinthecrowd

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree only way we'd see this is if we have a mom or abuela-centric B story.

Latinx Geeks@LatinxGeeks

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree Miles has such potential but first they killed his mom and focused on his dadWith her back I hope they focus on that more

Latinx Geeks@LatinxGeeks

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree although the writing recently and his not wanting to be the "black" spiderman I'vetalked about it before but it's a problem

https://storify.com/Desiree_N_Rod/beinglatinxincomics-miles-morales

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

I like what @adcfanboy said in his article here: washingtonpost.com/news/comic-rif…

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

Ultimately I think Miles is important, but at this point his latinx identity hasn't been handled to itsfullest potential.

Latinx Geeks@LatinxGeeks

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree I know Nuyoricans and you can't tell me she wouldn't be proud latinx and wouldhave made sure he at least understood spanish

Latinx Geeks@LatinxGeeks

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree exactly it's a strong pride and Miles shows almost none of that And he doesn'thave to be a caricature but something

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

I like what @BlkNrdProblems said about Miles' identity here: blacknerdproblems.com/miles-morales-…

https://storify.com/Desiree_N_Rod/beinglatinxincomics-miles-morales

DESIREE RODRIGUEZ @BORICUADESIREE · 2 MONTHS AGO

@LatinxGeeks Dwayne McDuffie handled the "Black superhero" thing better in JLA:

pic.twitter.com/xhEsmQtoKb

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

There's a great story waiting to be told from an Afro-Latino perspective that I feel hasn't been toldyet from Miles' POV.

Charles Paul

Hoffman@CharlesPHoffman

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree @LatinxGeeks I honestly doubt this is going to be handled well until someoneother than Bendis is writing Miles.

Latinx Geeks@LatinxGeeks

2 MONTHS AGO

@CharlesPHoffman @BoricuaDesiree and I will never stop suggesting @FelipeTweeters to writeMiles

https://storify.com/Desiree_N_Rod/beinglatinxincomics-miles-morales

Latinx Geeks@LatinxGeeks

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree it does. I'll say it again it's why I think Robbie Reyes and Ava Ayala work so wellwhen written correctly They feel latinx

Charles Paul

Hoffman@CharlesPHoffman

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree @LatinxGeeks Would also like to see a latinx writer on Miguel O'Hara.

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

Dispute living in NY (& this is something @Elana_Brooklyn brought up) Miles doesn't seem tointeract with the huge latinx population there.

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

He feels very disconnected from his culture (it seems more likely to me he'd identify as LATINOnot Hispanic which are different)...

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

And his dual identity as a Afro-latinx man. Mixed Raced or mestizo people have a specific set ofstruggles they face...

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

The thing about being latinx is it's a culture; it includes language, food, music, dance, clothing that'scompletely specific to your roots.

https://storify.com/Desiree_N_Rod/beinglatinxincomics-miles-morales

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

For example, Puerto Rican's have specific slang terms in Spanish that other latinx people mightnot have in theirs. Does Miles know any?

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

Even w/o speaking Spanish fluently I know slang terms, a few prayers, how to make our food, themusic & some dances. Why doesn't Miles?

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

Does his mother listen to Selena? Does Miles know how to make empanadas? Does he have arosary by his bedside? Tiny things can add to his...

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

overall identity as an afro-latinx character and emphasize his latinx culture and identity.

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

FTR: I'm not saying Miles is bad representation or a bad char, he's not. But he could be utilizedbetter he has that potential.

Poké Badges in ATL@facinthecrowd

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree Bendis ok and all but from how he handled Miles' blackness Bendis sorely needshelp on Miles' latinx heritage

https://storify.com/Desiree_N_Rod/beinglatinxincomics-miles-morales

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

@facinthecrowd I think this has to do with a lot of misconceptions on what it means to be Latinx &Hispanic (which are diff)...

Poké Badges in ATL@facinthecrowd

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree Oh most def. Broad strokes are painted when it comes to latinx/Hispanic. You'reseen as a monolith just like Asians are

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

@facinthecrowd and non-latinx writers struggle with that. But this is why we need more latinxvoices in the industry.

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

Having a multi-ethnic & being mixed raced identity is difficult; there's a lot of intra-communitystruggles there Miles could deal with...

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

that I would love to see Miles deal with in his story of growing up as Spider-man and Miles Morales.

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

#BeingLatinxInComics twitter.com/facinthecrowd/…

https://storify.com/Desiree_N_Rod/beinglatinxincomics-miles-morales

Latinx Geeks@LatinxGeeks

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree and that's how it should It's part of what's made Ms Marvel so successful Herculture is part of her. An important part

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

@LatinxGeeks This is exactly what made Ms. Marvel so successful her culture is directly tied towho she is as a char. It's not in name only.

Latinx Geeks@LatinxGeeks

@BoricuaDesiree · 2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree it's not just a "Oh she also happens to be Muslim or Pakistani" you see it in her,her family, her decisions. It's special

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

@LatinxGeeks This is also what happens when you have a Muslim writer behind the helm of aMuslim character.

Latinx Geeks@LatinxGeeks

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree exactly it would be so much better with a latinx writer

Alex de Campi@alexdecampi

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree It would help if Marvel let, y'know, a latinx writer write the character. But alas,they have white guys for that.

https://storify.com/Desiree_N_Rod/beinglatinxincomics-miles-morales

Merodeadora@queerhawkeye_

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree If Miles was written by some1 other than BMB I'd love a story about anti-blackness among latinxs and how it affects Miles.

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

@queerhawkeye_ I would really love to see this story because anti-blackness is a problem in thelatinx community.

DESIREE RODRIGUEZ @BORICUADESIREE · 2 MONTHS AGO

This is Victor Alvarez's (Power Man) family in a casual setting. This emphasizes Victor's latinx culture

naturally. pic.twitter.com/sSYVnX5t9E

https://storify.com/Desiree_N_Rod/beinglatinxincomics-miles-morales

DESIREE RODRIGUEZ @BORICUADESIREE · 2 MONTHS AGO

It feels more natural than this panel: Which isn't necessarily bad but it feels awkward to me

pic.twitter.com/RQNA2DzC0I

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

This panel feels like a rudimentary understanding of how Latinx people speak or act using a basicunderstanding of the Spanish language.

Merodeadora@queerhawkeye_

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree, it sounds like a gringx's idea of how Spanglish works, which is exactly what it is

Poké Badges in ATL@facinthecrowd

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree I just thought it played an angry woc trope that latinas and black people get abad rap for

https://storify.com/Desiree_N_Rod/beinglatinxincomics-miles-morales

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

@facinthecrowd That's how I felt, the whole "mad abuela" felt off to me. Along with the awkwardSpanish.

Latinx Geeks@LatinxGeeks

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree @facinthecrowd Miles' abuela is sooo odd to me Like who is she supposed tobe? Idk anyone like that

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

@queerhawkeye_ It reminded me of when gringx's write fanfic w/ Latinx chars (Raphael from SH,Poe from SW, etc) but use google translate...

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

@queerhawkeye_ Instead of seeking out actual Spanish speakers & latinx peoples to see how wespeak normally in a casual setting.

jessica@rrobbiereyes

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree this is so cringey honestly

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

The thing about being latinx is it's a culture; it includes language, food, music, dance, clothing that'scompletely specific to your roots.

https://storify.com/Desiree_N_Rod/beinglatinxincomics-miles-morales

Poké Badges in ATL@facinthecrowd

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree a great exploration into Puerto Rican culture would be Miles to hang out with(Anya) Spider-Girl or White Tiger (Ava)

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

@facinthecrowd It seems strange to me that Miles hasn't hung out with AT LEAST Anya sincethey're both latinx spider-kids.

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

@facinthecrowd Or that Miles & Sam given that they're on the same team now haven't bondedover being latinx together.

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

@facinthecrowd Think of the potential of inside spanish jokes with Miles & Sam. Or discussingdifferences in slang or food.

Poké Badges in ATL@facinthecrowd

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree Look, I'm still salty Anya disappeared after Spider-Island. But yea Miles notbonding with Nova too is weird too

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

@facinthecrowd It is very strange to me that Nova & Miles don't bond. Ava & Humberto haddiscussions about being latinx in Avengers Academy

https://storify.com/Desiree_N_Rod/beinglatinxincomics-miles-morales

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

@facinthecrowd They didn't fully agree with each other, but the connection & shared experiencewas there. That doesn't exist with Miles/Nova

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

I think we can all agree Miles afro-latinx identity would be better explored by a latinx writer. Anyone want to throw out some names?

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

.@LatinxGeeks suggested @FelipeTweeters I've also really liked @MrEdgardoNYC's work. Anyother writers you'd like to see write Miles?

Poké Badges in ATL@facinthecrowd

@BoricuaDesiree · 2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree see @Marvel @DCComics this is where outreach programs and workshopswould come in handy for more voices in comics industry

Latinx Geeks@LatinxGeeks

@BoricuaDesiree · 2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree @FelipeTweeters @MrEdgardoNYC writers who also aren't afraid to do theirresearch and ask people what works like @jrome58

Ray Sonne@RaySonne

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree I always found it really bizarre and telling that he is described as half & half & notAfroLatino. No research there.

https://storify.com/Desiree_N_Rod/beinglatinxincomics-miles-morales

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

@BeingLatinxInComics twitter.com/queerhawkeye_/…

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

#BeingLatinxInComics twitter.com/rrobbiereyes/s…

jessica@rrobbiereyes

@BoricuaDesiree · 2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree listen to their experiences so your character isn't halfassed with your limitedinterpretation of their culture/heritage

jessica@rrobbiereyes

@BoricuaDesiree · 2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree the same can go for non-black latinx writers as well

Osvaldo Oyola@themiddlespaces

2 MONTHS AGO

@BoricuaDesiree @Elana_Brooklyn Boom! @ashejandro wrote about this some on The MiddleSpaces themiddlespaces.wordpress.com/2016/04/05/mil…

Desiree Rodriguez@BoricuaDesiree

2 MONTHS AGO

Today's #BeingLatinxInComics discussion went so well! I'm thinking of doing this once a monthwho's up for that?

https://storify.com/Desiree_N_Rod/beinglatinxincomics-miles-morales

DESIREE RODRIGUEZ @BORICUADESIREE · 2 MONTHS AGO

Thank you to everyone who participated in the #BeingLatinxInComics chat today! Great discussion

about Miles Morales! pic.twitter.com/UzH1JxHILA

https://storify.com/Desiree_N_Rod/beinglatinxincomics-miles-morales