The question is simple, the answer complex. Was Magneto right? In essence, do you agree that: 1. Peaceful coexistence of mutantkind within human society is a foolish dream. 2. Violence is necessary to achieve the emancipation of mutant kind. If you've read the X-men comics, or watched the animated series, I suggest you work on that interpretation of Magneto and the Marvel Universe. However, if you've only even seen the atrocious movies, you might as well comment on that version. Personally, if I existed in the Marvel world, I'd definitely be a member of the Brotherhood. Charles in a radical left-wing imbecile who harbours the ridiculous belief that the generic human beings will accept the magnificent powers of mutantkind. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Prof. X is probably more correct in the long term, however, given the foolishness of humans in general (inclusive of mutants), peaceful coexistence wouldn't really happen in the XMen's lifetime.
I'll take the middle option. I support Magneto in his fight for freedom from the narrow-minded normals who want to control, lock up, or whatever, the mutants. However, I think violence should be saved as a last resort. With all their awesome powers, surely they could do an adequate job of protecting themselves just by using their powers defensively. And if they did want to go offensive, they could really do a job on equipment and infrastructure without killing people. If this didn't work, though, and the normals kept coming after them, then I would support violence.
No Magneto is wrong. Humans and mutants have equal ethical rights. Neither may have more rights than the other. Giving more rights to mutants is beer racism. Magneto is no different from the Nazis that executed him and his family in a concntration camp. The only reason he survived was because he managed to repel the bullets that were fixing to hit him. The oppression in Germany created Hitler's rampage againts the Jewish as a race. Magneto's objective as a supervillain is for mutantkind to rule over humankind. These stories, written by Stan himself, were penned during a time in which America underwent a great deal of civil rights acitivity. Is Magneto right? Should mutantkind rule over humankind? Hell no.
lixluke: Err, sort of. His stance towards humanity softens and hardens throughout the series. Sometimes he wants mutant rule over human kind. Other times he wants a 'mutant only' homeland, similar to Israel (witness Asteroid M).
When Magneto was created, he was just a mutant that wanted to rule the world. Professor X was emulated after Martin Luthur King Jr. Within the most recent storylines, the writers have continued Professor X's character while turning Magneto into more of a Malcolm X type instead of the traditional 'I want to take over the world' type.
lixluke: I disagree. Ever since the beginning, his primary concern was to protect mutantkind from the genocide his own people suffered. It's true that there are times where he wants to rule the world, but only so that he can watch over and protect his mutant brothers and sisters. Unlike the 'Inner Party' from 1984, Magneto wishes to gain control as a means to an end, not just to enjoy the power rush. But even if Magneto is indeed a power hungry maniac, that doesn't change the fact that he is right. Peaceful co-existence is ridiculous, and sometimes the only method by which one can obtain equality is through violence. The problem is that the black rights movement, and the mutant rights movement, aren't really comparable. This is because blacks are indeed equal with whites... any difference is just superficial. Blacks can't shoot lasers out of their eyes, or control the Earth's magnetic field. But mutants are clearly superhuman. They will always be feared and envied by the generic human being.
In the comic books, doesn't Magneto become a good guy and lead the X-Men, after Professor X dies? ~String
I think that's only in an alternate universe. Not sure, I don't follow Marvel timelines all that well.
The authors sure thought so when they included the human/mutant conflict as part of their fiction, modeling it after civil rights conflicts in reality. Their intent of course was not in the slightest to be allegorical. It was meant to do nothing more than be part of the excitement of the storyline. Wrong. Magneto was commiting villanous acts in the name of mutantkind for supremist reasons. Not to protect mutant kind, but to claim superiority (superior rights) over humankind.
wow where did I heard that before, Magneto's behavior seems perfectly normal for someone with his power... annyway it's quit a wrong behaviour if you like to call it that
Yes. Normal is often mistaken for good/practical/logical. What is normal/common practice tends to typically be maniacle.
