Diversity in Media: Charles Xavier

The character I will be discussing in this analysis is Charles Xavier and Dinah Lance will be the character I use to contrast and compare to. Both characters have a long and documented history in comic book, in the last 40-30 years these two character have been thrusted into bigger roles and a brighter spotlight as they’ve become more popular characters. This has let children relate to them, and they’ve been a great factor in diversity of comics.

These two characters are similarly connected by a couple of different factors and are separated by a few as well. Charles Xavier and Dinah Lance are Both Leaders of teams Charles being the leader of the X-men when they are discussing matters concerning Mutant culture and how to proceed with matters of when to fight and when to deescalate those situations. (1) Dinah is a leader of the Birds of Prey team that fights crime in the DC universe and is a woman only team. (2) They are both Instructors and teachers in their respective Teams, Charles is the head professor and head administrator of his own school “Xaviers school for gifted youngsters” he teaches young mutants how to act and convey themselves as people and how to advocate for themselves, as well as training children and the X-men teams to fight and use their powers in conjunction with team members in the danger room. (3) Dinah Lance is one of the greatest hand to hand combatants in the DC universe, and as such this has allowed other characters in the DC universe to come to Dinah to ask for tips and training on fighting. She also has training in therapy and frequently offers her service to other superhero’s typically after traumatic events. She is also a leader in the Justice League of America, as well as one of its founding members. (4)

Now to contrast these characters, Charles is much older than Dinah he typically because characters rarely age in comics he is depicted as 50-60 years old (5) while Dinah is usually depicted from ages 25-35 years old. (6) Charles is also Physically disabled often wheelchair bound, and in contrast Dinah is physically able. In terms of class growing up Charles was born into an incredibly rich family and even though Dinah didn’t grow up poor compared to the Xaviers family’s extreme wealth it is a heavy contrast. (7) Charles sexuality differs from each depiction while some have him as straight other depictions and most fan interpretation have him as a gay man or bisexual.

Charles Xavier boiled down to his basic character trope or stereotype is the “Smart, educated, rich, leader” He’s an indication to readers that if you grow up rich, you’re bound for success and for more money. However, where Charles differs in this stereotype is that he is Physically disabled from the waist down. He also does not use his money to lend his mutants an upper hand or abuse his wealth to the detriment of the human or mutant race. He does however use his social status to his advantage by being able to speak in high class and important social circles about his problems and mutant rights.

Charles’ attributes are appropriate as well as conflicting with his character, he is strong willed and won’t let little things stand in his way or let him stop completing his goals. Charles is very manipulative and will often give advice or straight up tell people things that will cause them to do actions that he wants; this is because Charles is strong willed.

Disabled people in media typically are looked at as people who need extra care or need special attention. (8)Charles is never depicted where he needs special care or attention in the main line comic runs, in fact he is the one to be giving special care and extra attention to Children and mutants who need it. Disabled people also are depicted as vulnerable (9)Charles is portrayed as emotionally closed off until a situation demands he talks about his issues to his team to find a solution. (Nicol 2017) states “The fact that the leader of the X-Men is in a wheelchair is significant, and due to his mutant powers, he is ‘differently-abled’ twice over”. (10) This is a positive representation of disabled people in media, and movement away from a stereotype in the sense that someone who is wheelchair bound can still be special and lead others as well as be an open ear and a teacher to those who need it. Those are a couple of examples of how Charles Xavier’s character moves away from a stereotype. Those examples would intern foster an expectation in ordinary people that Disabled people can take care for themselves without the need for extra care, and that Disabled people don’t need to be looked at like they are lesser or that they always need help when they are in fact doing just fine.

This does not damage the general thoughts and opinions on the disabled community, it enhances them as Charles shows people that Paraplegic people don’t always need special attention or extra care, and they can take care of themselves and even help others when needed.

A research paper intended to improve people implicit and explicit bias’s towards people with Disabilities by showing them a positive and accurate interpretations of people with disabilities. (11)The results varied and showed a reverse pattern however in the large scale of the research it was shown that younger people when showed the video of a positive example had a more positive return in thoughts about disabled people. This research shows that younger people if shown a good role model and a positive example of disabled people such as Charles Xavier will have a better outlook and more positive bias’s towards those marginalized.

In conclusion Charles Xavier since his debut in September of 1963 has been a strong and healthy example of A disabled person in media, he has been a popular character in the Marvel fandom and a strong voice within Marvels continuity.