Racism, multiculturalism and neoconservatism in the pages of X-Men (1960-1980)

• Grant number: 19/22550-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - History - History of America
• Principal researcher: Marcos Sorrilha Pinheiro
• Grantee: Kaue Souza Martins
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Humanas e Sociais (FCHS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Franca. Franca , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The main objective of the research is to study the social and cultural conflicts in the United States between the 1960s and 1980s through the pages of X-Men. This periodization aims to deal with themes such as racism, multiculturalism, and neoconservatism. Marvel Comics, in 1963, launches a new title named X-Men into its comics, introducing into its universe of superheroes mutant characters who are already born with special abilities. These heroes emerge representing a minority in their stories, being victims of xenophobia and intolerance speeches. In this research, we work with the hypothesis that in the stories of the X-Men pages it is possible to perceive a reflection of the conflicts that occurred simultaneously with their production. This reflection is expressed through narratives analogous to historical episodes and upward discussions in the period of their production: in the 1960s with black movements by Civil Rights; in the 1970s with multiculturalism; and in the 1980s with the rise of neoconservatism. Thus, in order to reach the objectives and support the hypotheses of this research, it is necessary to survey more specific bibliographic sources about the thematic approach in the history of the United States, as well as to survey the comic books of the X-Men, since the research intends to work with their analysis. From this, we will verify if the bibliography converges to the hypothesis raised by the research, that it is possible to perceive American historical conflicts through X-Men comics. (AU)