Phase 1: Week 1

 Hi, this is Caroline Hyde and I am working with Justin Edwards on an investigation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a focus on cultural impact and representation. We chose this project because we were both recently in an English class that focused on the cinematic commentary of African American film throughout American history. As there are four phases of cinema (both movies and tv shows), we are watching one phase a week. The three goals are to 1) Observe how the world at the time (cultural movements) affect the films, 2) Observe how the films affect the world around them, 3) Observe the total change in representation throughout the arc of creation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Within this first portion of films, Justin and I initially watched them in order of creation- Iron Man 1 and 2. However, after watching these films, we decided to go ahead within the different phases and watch the films that occur before the early 2000s where Iron Man is set. Captain America the First Avenger and Captain Marvel occur during World War II and the '80s. I haven't seen the Iron Man films in at least 5 years, and the level of misogyny and the lack of racial representation is almost impressive.

source: https://tomorrowsociety.com/iron-man-2-review/

Within the Iron Man films, we have watched the only character of the color of note is the black best friend, so the only racial representation follows a common trope in mass media. The misogyny in the films is extremely prevalent, from the dancers in bikinis to Tony Stark's treatment of his assistant to Black Widow's sexualization to the commodification of the playboy lifestyle. Tony Stark is shown multiple times throughout the films with dancers, in costumes that are inspired by him and Iron Man, used as props in his performances to show how amazing he is. There are many examples of objectification of women within these two films, but Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff) faces the most out of the speaking female roles. When Black Widow demonstrates her boxing skills, Tony Stark responds with "I want one." to which Pepper Potts (his assistant) responds, "No." Potts comes off in this scene as a tired mother after her son, Stark, asks for another toy. 

The treatment of Potts and Black Widow contrasts Agent Carter, who is the only major female character in Captain America. She is very much in charge of herself and is shown ordering around new cadets with the use of her hierarchical power, not her sexual power. Other than Agent Carter, there is little representation of gender or racial groups. In the 107th division, Captain America's best friend's division that he saves, there are two men of color. One seems to be east-Asian-American and the other is African American. The African American man does not have many speaking lines but manages to mention that he went to Howard- a historically black college. 

source: https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2468224/how-important-maria-and-monica-rambeau-can-be-to-the-mcu-after-captain-marvel

Captain Marvel seems to be created as almost a feminist anthem but does its best work within intersectional feminism. Rambeau is an African American mother who defies the overbearing stereotypes perpetuated by classic American media and is an amazing fighter pilot.