Double Consciousness

     The term double consciousness can be used with superhero studies in the way that many of the characters or “superheroes” have identities that are divided into several, different aspects. Many of the superheroes we have learned about so far have lived two lives, that of the everyday citizen and that of a superhero fighting evil and saving the world. By reading the essay by W.E.B. Du Bois and learning about double consciousness we can see other examples of this idea played out in history. We are able to see that this concept of having two different identities is not just something that is seen in the movies, it is real. Just like the black people had to endure the times of racial discrimination and slavery, superheroes had to endure the backlash of society and threats from their enemies. If they had not kept their “superhero” identities undercover they would have been exposed and could have become a target for their enemies. Likewise, the black people were discriminated against by society, the superheroes at times were discriminated against as well, not because of the color of their skin, but because they were “different” than everyone else.  However, in the end the superheroes would always come out on top and change society’s view of them. To an extent the African Americans were able to do the same, after much perseverance they are now accepted by society more than they ever could have imagined a generation ago. These are the reasons double consciousness relates to the study of superheroes.