Smiling in the Face of Adversity

Currently, we are coming really close to one of my favorite times of year: Black History Month. Now, for me personally, I try to be mindful about where I come from all year, but there is something special about these 28 days in February. Maybe because we can get our  proverbial participation ribbons forked over by the guilt-tripped establishment and watch the nonbelievers sulk in petulance, I treasure this short month.

Expressions like these all month coupled with dark chocolate on February 14th literally have me in high spirits.

This year, a number of art students here at FDU created posters in recognition of Black History Month. Following the theme of The Struggle Continues, each poster is adorned with an African-American superhero, whether they be original, recolored, or preexisting, being heroic and crusading for what is moral and just. Kinda out of left field, to be honest. But it's something unique and has the potential to appeal to individuals that don't necessarily respond to the conventional efforts put forth in the month. Plus, I am an avid comic book reader, so seeing these posters both excited me and warmed my heart. 

Look at this wonderful poster. Does it not elicit squeals of excitement?

Out of all of the posters, this one immediately drew me in. Not many people discuss Squirrel Girl, including those within the comic book community. And she's been in print almost a quarter century! In fact, I didn't really know who she was until I received the Marvel Comics Character Encyclopedia a few years ago. (You know, similar to how non-white societal contributions are handled. But, I digress...)From her debut, Squirrel Girl always had to leap through hoops to be considered a viable hero. She began as a joke, an irreverent nod to her creator's golden years. She was relegated to a less revered superhero association, as her contemporaries could not believe that such a silly girl could be trusted to defend the Earth. However, her tenacity has led her to fell some of Marvel's most formidable, including:

Dr. Doom: her first major defeat, all to win Iron Man's favor

Galactus: LITERAL consumer of universes, "flatbacked" by a silly girl who plays with rodents

Thanos, destroyer of worlds, godlike man, loser to Squirrel Girl

Keep in mind, there have been scores of heroes ravaged by each of these individuals' evil deeds. Many a man have fallen at the hands of these three. And here comes this girl and she effortlessly bests them. What makes this more daunting is that she does not become arrogant or haughty. Humble and vibrant, she just wants to help and be respected, just like everyone else.After so many years of jeering and dismissal, Squirrel Girl is making small strides. She has her own solo series, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, where she combats internal and external atrocities the only way she knows how: with her furry friends and a cheery personality. Of course, she doesn't have the recognition or reverence Spider-Man and Iron Man have, but she is undeterred in her quest to right her world's wrongs.