Ms. Marvel co-creator responds to racist backlash against the series

If you’ve been reading my Ms. Marvel reviews, then you already know how much I love this series. It has been an absolute pleasure to see a version of myself on-screen as a Marvel superhero.

From the use of our native language to hiring a Pakistani crew and cast to incorporating many beautiful cultural nuances, Ms. Marvel has given us everything we could have hoped for. And even if you can’t relate to that aspect of it, the thrilling story is enough to reel anyone in.

However, not everyone has felt this enthusiastic about the series. In fact, the show was review-bombed after it premiered, with some opining that it was too cringe or too woke. Thousands of people gave it one-star reviews. The show was widely mocked for its approach to diversity and inclusion, among other things.

Despite the negative backlash, Ms. Marvel has now become “the highest-rated Marvel project on Rotten Tomatoes–higher than “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Endgame,” according to NBC News.

Ms. Marvel continues to soar despite backlash

Ms. Marvel co-creator Sana Amanat expected the backlash, as did the studio, and she even understands where it may be coming from. “I think it comes from a place of anger and a sense that their identities are being threatened,” Amanat shared with NBC Asian America. “If they can’t connect with it, then that’s OK. I just wish they wouldn’t try to put it down.”

I’d just like to get on my soapbox here for a moment and say that the Marvel Cinematic Universe, prior to the Disney+ shows, wasn’t very diverse, even though Marvel Comics has a deep well of different kinds of stories to draw on. It’s mind-boggling to me that people have an issue with one Marvel show focusing on characters of color after so many featured white leads. There are a lot of different Marvel fans out there. Isn’t it fair that everyone gets to see a version of themselves onscreen?

Words can’t express how amazing it has been to see an accurate representation of Pakistani and Muslim cultures in this series. I’ve never seen my parents so invested in a Marvel thing before, and it brings me so much joy to share this with them. The fact that there is so much hatred out there for the show is disappointing, but it’s great to see that despite the hate, there’s also a lot of love and appreciation.

Amanat is choosing to focus on the positive as well. She is aware of how much this show means to people and she understood the assignment when she took it on. Thanks to Amanat and the rest of the cast and crew, Ms. Marvel has given us a unique look into a different culture and perfectly intertwined itself into the larger MCU. It is not like this is a one-off show; there are larger repercussions at play here, and for those who aren’t on board with Ms. Marvel, I have some news for you: she isn’t going anywhere anytime soon!

Be sure to tune in for the Ms. Marvel season 1 finale on Wednesday, July 13 on Disney+!

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