In Angry Black White Boy, Macon is certainly the main character. Is he, however, the hero?
There are many events in the story which can be identified as parts of the Campbell's hero's journey. For example, we can point to the LA riots as the call for Macon, and the interviews as tests for him. Although not every single part can be found, an argument can still be made that Macon generally fits the hero's journey story arc.
Although Macon structurally fits the hero's journey, and his intentions are good (to call out and get rid of whiteness), the way he goes about it isn't super appealing. Throughout the story, Macon does things that aren't very hero-like, some of which are things that a typical hero certainly wouldn't do (robbing people). Macon doesn't have great characteristics for a hero either. He's sexist, as seen in his interview with Kim Sheffield (the way he thinks about her etc.). Macon is also quite self-centered and entitled.
Macon's reaction to the white people's response to his beliefs are also quite inconsistent. When Crazy Chris calls in and talks in African American vernacular, Macon praises him and says that he "has potential." On the other hand, when Macon sees white people dressing up in traditional African American clothing, he doesn't like it at all. While both are appropriating black culture, Macon accepts one but not the other. We especially see this when Macon punches the 12 year old kid wearing blackface (a reaction that a stoic hero probably wouldn't do). These inconsistencies bring to question Macon's arrogance (he ignores behavior which is similar to his) and internal beliefs/intentions.
Having these things in mind, is Macon a hero? Or is an antihero? Or is he something completely different?
I do think that Macon is a hero, but not a really good one. An important part of being a hero is setting an example. Macon wants every white person to participate in the day of Apology but we never see Macon himself actually apologizing to anyone (beside Andre but that isn't the same type of apology). He uses the n-word with every sentence but he never apologizes for that. Imagine Captain America fighting for world peace but he's really a Hydra agent. Like that just doesn't work. For Macon to be a real leader, he needs to set an example first.
ReplyDeleteMacon's heroic qualities are found most prevalently in his ego: he's only the hero of this story, only has the opportunity to express his antiheroic qualities, because he believes that he is the the greatest race hero in history. Though you make a good case for Macon being a terrible hero, his unlimited ego supports his self-ascribed heroism.
ReplyDeleteI think Macon's definitely an antihero, as he flips many of the features of the Hero's Journey on its head. For example, he generates his own call to adventure, and pursues his own sense of justice. Instead of propping up weak people, he seeks to bring down the powerful. In many ways, I think Macon is an antihero.
ReplyDeleteMacon is a bit of an oddity that doesn't quite fit that cleanly into most of the preset categories of heros. He's a hero in his own head for sure, and displays some qualities of the typical hero in media. But at the same time, he just doesn't give off that "hero" vibe that you'd get from some of the other heros in media.
ReplyDeleteYeah I don't know. I'd say maybe antihero or failed hero. The thing that I find really cool about the story in the context of Campbell is that they Hero's Journey structure initially seems to be maybe a little buried but still recognizable, but then at some point it just careens off a cliff and into complete disaster. It's like Macon has the makings of a hero, but then at some point he takes a left turn.
ReplyDeleteAs a lover of comics who has seen her fair share of both heroes and antiheroes in action, I'd say Macon is an antihero. In my mind, an antihero is someone who fights for a "good" they believe in but uses unorthodox/unethical methods to do so. Macon is an offensive character who thrives on soundbites and anarchy--he doesn't try to create peaceful, organized movement to help the black cause. He tries to spark a revolution by getting a rise out of people.
ReplyDeleteGrrrr so mad because I commented and then it got deleted. The gist of my comment was that I do think Macon is a "hero" but he's not my hero, nor, I think, is he a hero to anyone in class. What I mean is, I think his flaws and his death do follow the traditional heros journey archetype, but not in a traditional way. I think all heroes have flaws, and their journeys and battles are symbolic of them trying to overcome those flaws. I think Macon's journey fits this - just because he is far FAR from perfect doesn't mean he's not a hero in Campbell's sense. Also, his "return to the ordinary world" is there but I think it's tiny. He returns to the ordinary world when he refuses to die for the cause. Then he dies. His ordinary world is racism, and he returns to it a changed person - he finally recognized his own racism truthfully. I don't know what it means that he dies. But those are my two cents. Yay nice post!
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