Political correctness triumphing over authenticity is not such a good thing

Nothing is the same anymore in the world of superheroes; not even in the land of fairy tales. The exigencies of modern political correctness have overturned all manner of seemingly immutable truths. Marvel Comics’ latest diversity drive, for instance, will see the first East Asian Hulk, as Bruce Banner is replaced by the Korean genius Amadeus Cho. However, after a black Captain America, a female Thor and a Hispanic Spider-Man, this was only to be expected. The trickle-down effect is also evident elsewhere in the West as even local productions of much-loved classics are being re-engineered, the latest being Snow White being foisted with seven friends instead of the usual complement of dwarves for fear of being seen as “patronising”. How long the alabaster-hued heroine will retain her own name is also moot, given that its specificity pre-empts her role being assayed in the future by, say, the sultry Priyanka Chopra after her stint in a new American TV serial winds down.

If the world is not ready just yet for an Indian Wolverine on screen (or a desi Cinderella for that matter), this movement for race and gender diversity and inclusiveness should prompt Disney to unveil their new animated Indian ‘princess’, Ananya, forthwith. Then the world can look forward to Priyanka Chopra as Captain America if not Snow White.