Does it matter that little Tony is black?

Abigail R · Post by **Abigail R** » 19 Jul 2018, 09:34

I find it rare that kids themselves notice these things, unless already taught by adults. I think this book could just be another step in the way of representing all races throughout different medias.

Although, I do also hope that Toni will have some fun with superpowers in the future!

Yoli García · Post by **Yoli García** » 19 Jul 2018, 09:57

I thought that it mattered because the book is a contribution to the “We Need Diverse Books” movement within the publishing industry. Children of all ethnic backgrounds should be able to see themselves represented in children’s books.

However, I did not think for a second that he was doing ordinary things because he is black and only white superheros have superpowers. I just thought the author wanted to portray a superhero doing chores and helping around the house because all little children need to learn about responsibility.

Skater · Post by **Skater** » 19 Jul 2018, 18:53

It doesn't matters, because A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others..he can do extraordinary things.

Ginnamassa19 · Post by **Ginnamassa19** » 19 Jul 2018, 23:28

gen_g wrote: ↑01 Jul 2018, 10:30 This is an interesting question! However, I feel like this is now up to the parents/people reading the book to the child in question. The adult is the one responsible for the education of the younger masses, aka creating a colourblind society, and it is important to start it young. In other words, the adult has to let the child know that doing your daily chores is also a form of superhero activity, and it is not in any form inferior to other children with "actual superhero powers" (whether white or not).

I totally agree! Then again, I don't think the children reading this book will even realise the complications behind Tony's race--as others have pointed out, it's only when the kids grow up that they get introduced to race politics. XD

Then again, who says daily chores aren't super-heroic? I can't even make myself tidy my room most days

Vscholz · Post by **Vscholz** » 20 Jul 2018, 01:20

cristinaro wrote: ↑01 Jul 2018, 05:33 Tony is a jovial little black kid always with a broad smile on his face. He is engaged in the typical activities of a kid his age.

Is he meant to defy the superhero stereotype especially since he does not seem to be doing anything extraordinary?
Did you feel the book undermines the myth of the white superhero and carries a message of inter-racial tolerance?

My fear is the message could be exactly the opposite. Little black kids can only do ordinary things like helping their mother, sweeping the floor or dusting the furniture. The superpowers still belong to the little white kids. I am wondering if Tony will actually have some superpowers in the next books of the series. What do you think?

One of the wonderful things about literature is that so much is open to interpretation but none are wrong. The idea that superheroes still participate in everyday activities makes them more relatable.

Someone else mentioned T'Challa. In the recent movie, it shows his familial responsibility and his relationships with his mother and sister. This depiction made him more relatable even though he is a superhero.

Manali_DC · Post by **Manali_DC** » 20 Jul 2018, 01:42

Bianka Walter wrote: ↑01 Jul 2018, 10:30 The fact that Toni is black didn't even register on my radar until this thread. So I obviously felt none of the above.
And I don't think it will for kids either. They just see another kid, it's us adults that notice the colour

That's exactly how I felt too!! Considering the target age for this book, it is obvious an adult would help read the story. And it would depend how simple or complicated the adult wants to make it! Kids won't even notice the colour and if the right message is imparted they will grow up not noticing colour!

Anthony Martial Tata · Post by **Anthony Martial Tata** » 20 Jul 2018, 03:28

Judging a character based on his skin colour is just racism to be honest. Let focus on their merits.

Nickson Sifuma · Post by **Nickson Sifuma** » 20 Jul 2018, 03:40

In my view, super heroes also do ordinary things like any other person, therefore it doesn't matter the race of the person but what he or she can do.

JasmineH · Post by **JasmineH** » 20 Jul 2018, 18:52

An interesting question! As a trainee primary school teacher, I found it to be interesting that Toni was not white! A lot of characters in children's books (especially guided reading) are the same characters from a variety of books (Walt and Wilf), and the majority of these characters from what I have personally seen are white. However in this book there appears to be a mixture of skin colours which is great!

RebeccasReading · Post by **RebeccasReading** » 20 Jul 2018, 19:17

It absolutely matters! It was the first thing I noticed as I looked at this book. It was great to see a black superhero (even if he doesn't have actual powers). Representation matters. Even as a ordinary kid, Toni is a great role model for other black children who see this book.

Anthony Martial Tata · Post by **Anthony Martial Tata** » 21 Jul 2018, 00:06

I'm not a fanatic of characters comparison. I think Tony was an excellent character. His colour should be a non issue. This aligns people mind towards racism.

Penbreath09 · Post by **Penbreath09** » 21 Jul 2018, 01:07

Toni, the superhero

I'd say it matters because it hopes to correct the wrong perception of the blacks as a subhuman race. It is ironic, in how the celebrated black (Toni) possesses no super human abilities because he is seen doing what everybody should do. Toni, being a black super hero reduces a black man as not capable of possessing super powers but capable of being loved. Just like saying the apes are are capable of eating banana but not capable of singing...

It matters a lot, Toni the superhero. being a black man.

Lynsyn · Post by **Lynsyn** » 21 Jul 2018, 02:28

At least for me, it does matter that Toni is black. Being exposed to different cultures, ethnic backgrounds, and races at an early age, not also in the various forms of media but also to different kinds of people, makes the child more open-minded to his/her environment as he/she grows up. And in a way, it slowly destroys the stereotypes and misconceptions not only common on black people but also in other races.

ArriettyClock · Post by **ArriettyClock** » 21 Jul 2018, 05:49

There's too few stories about non-white characters, so I think it's shattering the myth by having more black and ethnic superheros. Think about Ironman and Batman (and arguably Bruce Banner, Hulk) who actually have no superpowers of their own but are classed as superheros. I think that Toni is becoming the equivalent of those superheros.