Anthony Mackie’s Captain America Apology: Is He Right to Be Sorry?

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Quick Links

  • Mackie’s Well-Intentioned but Unnecessary Apology
  • Mackie Isn’t the First Person to Make These Observations
  • Captain America’s Complicated History, Legacy, and Relation to the Country
  • Captain America Has Reflected the American Cultural Zeitgeist for Years

    • Edward Snowden
    • Thinking for Yourself
    • What It Means to Be “All American”
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Corrupt Presidents

The upcoming movie, titled “Captain America: Brave New World“, is arriving at an intriguing moment in time. Originally scheduled for 2024, it has faced multiple postponements and will now hit theaters just under a month after Donald Trump assumes office as the 47th President of the United States. The nation’s morale is at an all-time low, with several executive orders enacted that pose a risk to millions of Americans. This context significantly diminishes the fear associated with a Red Hulk serving as President. Moreover, Anthony Mackie’s character Sam Wilson assuming the role of Captain America and confronting the U.S. President takes on a whole new significance in this political climate.

Given the current state of division in the United States, it’s intriguing to consider the character of Captain America as worthy of exploration. Since his creation in 1940 by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, Captain America has symbolized America, but the exact meaning of that symbolism has varied depending on whether he represents the country as it is or the ideal version. In a Q&A held in Rome, Anthony Mackie discussed what Captain America should embody as an ideal, stating, “Captain America embodies many different qualities, and I don’t think ‘America’ should be one of those representations. It’s about a man who keeps his promises, maintains honor, dignity, and integrity. Someone who is reliable and trustworthy. This is like the realization of a dream.

In much the same way as other statements can be, Mackie’s nuanced perspective was quickly distorted and used out of context, leading to a wave of criticism from ardent nationalists. Later on, Mackie issued an apology… Was an apology really necessary in this case?

Anthony Mackie didn’t utter anything disrespectful in a manner similar to Chris Evans during his time as Captain America, and both their portrayals align with Marvel’s ongoing exploration of what it means to be Captain America, a concept that has been debated since the 1970s post-Watergate and is woven into the Marvel Cinematic Universe narrative.

Mackie’s Well-Intentioned but Unnecessary Apology

Mackie’s apology read:

Wearing the mantle of a hero akin to Character-Name (CAP) is an unparalleled privilege in my life. I hold nothing but admiration for individuals who devote themselves to serving and have served our nation. CAP embodies traits that resonate with people from all corners of the globe.

Mackie’s statement expressing his high regard for those who serve our country seems more like a precaution than a necessity. His initial statement did not carry any disrespect towards the armed forces, quite the contrary. If Mackie were to criticize the military (which he didn’t), it would be important to note that they are defending the very values our nation stands for, such as freedom of speech – the very freedom that allows us to question and hold our country accountable. Interestingly, Mackie’s lack of criticism is being perceived as a major offense by those who frequently accuse others of overreacting or getting easily offended.

Mackie’s remarks focused more on what Captain America symbolizes rather than a literal representation of America. The character embodies honor, heroism, and doing what is right. To reiterate, Mackie stated, “It’s about a man who keeps his promises, has integrity, dignity, and honor. Someone who can be trusted and relied upon. This feels like a part of a dream coming true.”

This is why Captain America, despite its name, has become a global box office hit, even in countries that might not have the most positive views towards America itself.

Mackie Isn’t the First Person to Make These Observations

In the book titled “Captain America, Masculinity, and Violence: The Evolution of a National Icon, author J. Richard Stevens argues that Captain America’s patriotism is not confined to championing the nation-specific cultural or political goals of the United States, but instead, it emphasizes the universal human rights embodied in the American Dream, as suggested by Anthony Mackie’s statements.

Captain America has encountered situations like this before, and it’s quite surprising that Mackie faced such backlash when other white creatives have expressed similar views without any significant reaction. At San Diego Comic-Con 2010, Joe Johnston, the director of ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’, explained, “He’s a man who wants to serve his country, but he’s not overly patriotic. We’re giving a fresh take on the comic book version of Steve Rogers.

People who criticized Anthony Mackie’s remarks might find it surprising to learn that Chris Evans, the original Steve Rogers from the MCU, expressed a similar sentiment back in 2011. Remarkably, Evans’ statement then could potentially be seen as “disrespectful” by today’s standards. In a 2011 interview, Evans stated:

I don’t want to focus solely on the American aspect of it. This isn’t a movie about waving flags. Yes, Captain America originated in America during war times, but he represents good in general, rather than just being an American symbol. In fact, I’ve often joked that he should be called Captain Good instead. You see, he was created when there was an overwhelming evil force, and his role was to combat it. I believe we can all agree that Nazis were a formidable enemy, and Captain America just so happens to wear the American colors.

It’s quite striking how distant 2011 seems now. One way to put it is that Evans’s assertion about everyone acknowledging the evil of the Nazis was generally accepted as truthful back then, but today some individuals might attempt to argue against this or even defend a prominent tech figure who mimics Nazi salutes (let us emphasize…NAZIS WERE AND STILL ARE EVIL). However, it’s also worth noting that the sentiment in 2011 was somewhat controversial among overly patriotic flag-wavers, but they were largely dismissed as an extremist group not worthy of serious consideration.

In 2011, it was reasonable and open for discussion that America might have some imperfections. However, some people perceive even mild criticism or acknowledgment of flaws as hostile acts. This fear of admitting any shortcomings in American history has escalated to such an extent that Trump issued an executive order titled “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling.” This suggests that many supporters, including Trump, view schools not primarily for education or critical thinking, but rather as institutions for instilling a blind admiration for our nation and its values. This kind of unquestioning patriotism is what leads people to react so strongly to seemingly harmless comments like Anthony Mackie’s.

Captain America’s Complicated History, Legacy, and Relation to the Country

It appears that individuals who strongly criticized Anthony Mackie’s views on Captain America might misunderstand the character. They seem to perceive Captain America as a patriotic figure who champions his country with a “love it or leave it” attitude, serving as an instrument of the government. However, neither the comics nor the Marvel Cinematic Universe have portrayed him in this manner. In fact, Marvel had demonstrated the negative implications of a jingoistic Captain America through the introduction of John Walker, who eventually became The U.S. Agent and was introduced in the MCU during “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

In the 1970s, Captain America comic books shifted their focus from international conflicts to domestic American issues. Topics such as government corruption, economic hardship, and racial inequality were often explored during this time period. It’s no coincidence that Sam Wilson (also known as The Falcon) was first introduced in 1969 as the new Captain America.

In 1974, writer Steve Englehart and artist Sal Buscema capitalized on America’s negative sentiments towards its President in a story titled “Secret Empire.” This narrative centers around a sinister group aiming to secretly control the nation from within, using misinformation to undermine Captain America’s reputation. In the final scenes, Steve Rogers pursues the leader of the Secret Empire into the Oval Office, where he reveals his identity, leaving Captain America stunned before the villain meets his end at their hands. Although the face beneath the mask remains hidden, it’s clear that the character was intended to be none other than Richard Nixon.

In a stunning turn of events, the disclosure left Steve Rogers so stunned that he relinquished his role as Captain America and assumed the mantle of Nomad, known as “the man without a country.” Later, Rogers pledged to restore the values of America at a time when its leaders appeared to have failed the American populace. This narrative, as Mackie’s comments suggest, might provoke intense anger in some people, but it wasn’t controversial for comic readers during the 1970s. In fact, this bold move was highly praised and significantly boosted Captain America’s comic book sales from one of Marvel’s poorer performers to one of its top-selling titles. The ongoing struggle between America’s self-image and its true nature has become as integral to Captain America’s character as his exploits in World War II or his icy entombment.

The creators of Captain America comic books, Marvel, have admitted that the character’s origins, like America itself, have roots in disturbing racial issues. In 2003, through the miniseries ‘Truth: Red, White & Black’, writer Robert Morales and artist Kyle Baker unveiled a storyline where the super soldier serum was first tested on African American soldiers, drawing parallels to the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study. The narrative revealed that hundreds of black men were tested and killed before Isiah Bradley became the first successful recipient of the serum, with his existence and those who died being wiped from history. At the time, editor Axel Alonso acknowledged the “underlying political implications” of making a Black man symbolize America as “a larger narrative… a metaphor for America itself.

Captain America Has Reflected the American Cultural Zeitgeist for Years

Edward Snowden

In “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” Steve Rogers, our Captain America, vehemently opposes civilian targeting under the guise of preserving peace. This film’s narrative resonated strongly with many Americans during June 2013, following Edward Snowden’s disclosure of top-secret NSA data about government surveillance. Although it was a coincidence that the movie was written and produced before the information became public, it echoed sentiments prevalent in American society at the time.

Thinking for Yourself

In the film “Captain America: Civil War,” Steve Rogers (also known as Captain America) and his fellow Avengers ally Sam Wilson find themselves at odds with a United Nations-sanctioned legislation, the Sokovia Accords, which dictates when and where they can engage in action. Contrary to the common view of Captain America as an upholder of rules, this narrative underscores that he doesn’t simply obey orders but rather follows his personal moral compass of right and wrong. As a result, he is labeled a fugitive. Although some viewers might argue that Marvel has only recently become political in its films, it’s worth noting that Captain America, in particular, has always been a character steeped in politics. This suggests that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) may have been socially conscious well before audiences began expressing concern about increased representation of women and people of color in hero roles.

What It Means to Be “All American”

The TV series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” mirrors the early Captain America comics from the late ’60s and early ’70s, as Sam Wilson’s journey addresses racial inequality and problematic American leadership. Regrettably, despite progress, many issues persist over time. The main theme of the series revolves around Sam Wilson and John Walker competing for the role of Captain America, symbolizing a debate about who embodies the American ideal. Notably, the show introduces Isiah Bradley, who tells Sam, “They’ll never let a Black man be Captain America.” This sentiment is supported by the U.S. government creating their own Captain America in John Walker after Sam hands over the shield to the Smithsonian.

In our rephrased version: The character Walker is portrayed as the epitome of an “All-American” figure – a skilled athlete, coupled with a high school sweetheart, who served in the military and was chosen by the government to become Captain America. However, this choice, it’s implied, comes at a cost, as he becomes more of a pawn for the authorities, prioritizing the U.S.’s interests over global concerns. The series presents this as an unacceptable situation.

One particularly striking scene is when John Walker is shown using Captain America’s shield to brutally crush a man’s chest, leaving a trail of blood on its surface. This once-revered symbol of heroism in the Marvel Universe now stands soiled by violence and bloodshed.

Black Lives Matter

In the debut of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” ten months following George Floyd’s murder, as Black Lives Matter conversations intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, a particularly impactful scene unfolded: two white police officers displaying hostility towards Sam Wilson for protesting on behalf of Bucky. However, their demeanor changed significantly once they recognized him as a superhero. Though it was unintentional, Marvel’s series resonated deeply because it remained remarkably relevant even though it had been produced before the cultural moment in question, demonstrating how deeply entrenched these issues continue to be in American society.

Corrupt Presidents

2025 appears to bring a resurgence of relevance for Sam Wilson’s portrayal of Captain America, as suggested by the trailers for “Captain America: Brave New World“. This upcoming series presents an intriguing scenario where Captain America engages in confrontations not only with the U.S. President and The Red Hulk (Thaddeus Ross), but also grapples with Ross’ ambition to institutionalize Captain America within the government. This aspiration contradicts the very essence of Captain America, who stands for global justice, rather than the interests of a single group or nation.

Anthony Mackie’s views on Captain America’s representation shouldn’t have been seen as contentious. He didn’t disrespect anyone, but rather demonstrated a deep understanding of the character’s background in both comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Interestingly, those who were upset by his comments seemed more reactive than when Chris Evans, director John Johnston, or many Marvel Comics writers and artists expressed similar views over time.

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2025-02-11 02:33