What villain actually had a good point?

For the sake of the post I am going to point to movie versions of Marvel’s Killmonger, Magneto, and Thanos.

First up, Thanos. It is a problem that we are facing today where we have moved passed taking care of each other and it is a race to hoard wealth and resources. Killing half of the galaxy was an intense solution, but Thanos did not want to rule the galaxy and police everyone. He was trying to take us back to before that happened. So we would provide for each other again and stop destroying our homes. It is a quick solution to end inevitable destruction. I have argued the Thanos movie thoughts a lot. It is never really elaborated in a way where you can see him not being a monster, a lot of it is reading between the lines taking what we see to its inevitable conclusion.

With Magneto and Killmonger, both from ostracized groups, both treated inhumanely because of it. They have seen their communities be destroyed before their eyes. Both champion the belief of taking what they have been given to protect the rest of their people. They are both extremists, not caring who they need to kill for their ultimate goals. They do not wish for violence, but see it as a tool. While Killmonger is trying to fight back the ruinous systemic injustice, Magneto is trying to save the mutants from obliteration as he was unable to do so during the Holocaust.

These three see the weaknesses of men and decide to take matters into their own hands. They have been shown that you cannot trust those in power. Which history has shown us time and again to be true. During every change in society there have to be people along the spectrum of change, you have your peaceful protesters, your anti-protesters, those in power trying to retain the status quo, and the people trying to disrupt it. Societal change is a revolution. People around the globe have fought wars for change whether positive or negative.

I believe in peaceful protest, but I understand the necessity of the extremists at times. When those in power abuse their power and try to eliminate peaceful groups, someone needs to show them that enough is enough. Superhero comics are all about vigilantism. Superheroes are also on a spectrum of peaceful to extreme. It is not only a villain thing. Some heroes kill. Some have been whitewashed to pretend that they have never and currently do not kill. One of my favorite superheroes is Batman. He has killed in all media. The thing he is trying to teach his wards is to not revel in the need to kill. To look for alternatives. Also the fact that if he killed all the villains that need to be stopped from killing innocents, then there would not be much to write about in the comics.

I understand the fear and anger in the marginalized groups. I do not fault them for feeling like they have no other recourse. When the inevitable backlash occurs, I do not blame them. I put the blame solely on those in power. If people feel like they have no alternatives, that is the fault of those in charge. They should be allowing the people to be heard. Letting them do things in the proper channels. Not banning them. Not pretending they do not exist. Not trying to create false narratives about them. Those in power should not be picking on the ones without. It is not right. It is not just. When you invite violence to befall the marginalized groups, do not be surprised when violence is returned.