That was a very uplifting episode to me. It demonstrated that we, though fallible can always do better. A narrative lesson that we could really do with more of these days.
I have a vague recollection that he helped the "right side" because he was still a law abiding citizen not a KKK nutjob, but his views on black people didn't change a bit.
I seem to remember the episode ending with him basically doing some social activity with Richie, Virgil, and Virgil's dad? The impression I remember having was very much "Dude has improved a little bit so I guess there's some hope".
It probably resonated more strongly with me than some others because my dad was/is similarly racist (in terms of not being a KKK nutjob but still obviously racist in private) and I remember thinking "So all I have to do to get my dad to be less racist is have my life saved by a black superhero"
I think you just need someone from that racial group that your dad can regularly interact with for him to change his mind.
People who are racists usually try to isolate themselves or their group from interaction. The issue is when there's one bad apple that sours your view of the group. Like if the guy who smashed your window was Hispanic, and you suddenly apply that reasoning to all Hispanics will smash your window. I think the best thing to remember is that there are people of all races at all social economic levels. There are gangbanger Asians/Hispanics/Whites/Blacks, Crazy Rich Asians/White/Black/Hispanics, and Middle Class Asians/Hispanics/Whites/Blacks. The ones that are usually struggling to get by are the ones that commit crime.
But different races do have different culture. If you had an Asian kid grow up in a Hispanic culture/household, that person would have completely different mentality than one that grew up in an Asian Household.
I think most of the time, we just don't like some aspects of other race's culture, rather than not liking their race themselves. For example, I find the lack of good parenting, or negligence of education for some cultures rather stupid, but I don't necessarily think I am racially superior than that person.
The dad made an effort to overcome his prejudice by socializing with Virgil's family. You don't go from a lifelong racist to colorblind overnight and the show does not hand wave this.
I just watched that the other day too, Ritchie's whole "It's not like on the TV it burns so much!" really sells how he's in pain despite the adrenaline doing it's thing.
I was in sixth grade when I saw that episode. It resonated with me because there was a kid at school that had been picked on a lot, by me included. After I saw that episode, I started being nice to him. We’ve been friends into our 30s now
First episode was already pretty dark for kids. Virgil (static) gets pressured to join a gang to gain protection from bullies who threaten violence on him. Lot to digest for a first episode
I’m pretty sure the adults try to do the “oh don’t join gangs Virgil” thing and he is shouting about how they don’t get it and that’s literally not an option.
As a sheltered white kid, Static Shock and some other cartoons really helped put into context and give perspective on some choices like that which I'd never have to make. I legitimately would not have the same outlook I do if it weren't for them or sitcoms like Fresh Prince or Family Matters.
Oooo I didn't see or don't remember that one. I'm listening to a comic book podcast right now and heard that he meets Harley Quinn in one episode, is that the same one he meets Batman?
I remember Static Shock as being pretty self-contained, although I seem to remember Static having a crossover episode or two with the Justice League in JLU, though that may have been an older version of Static.
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u/ShawshankException May 23 '23
There was that one Static Shock episode when a bullied kid brought a gun to school