Ta-Nehisi Coates Captain America
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Jordan Peterson Is Angry That He Inspired Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Take on Red Skull and We Have To Laugh

Have you tried...not being a nazi?
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Chelsea Steiner
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Published: Apr 6, 2021 01:57 pm

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Canadian psychology professor and Alt-right mouthpiece Jordan Peterson is in the news once again, for the most hilarious of reasons. The pundit, known for his misogynist, racist, and transphobic talking points, is furious over the latest Captain America comic books authored by famed journalist, author, and comics writer Ta-Nehisi Coates. Namely, because Coates’s version of the classic Marvel villain Red Skull is inspired by Peterson himself.

“Do I really live in a universe where Ta-Nehisi Coates has written a Captain America comic featuring a parody of my ideas as part of the philosophy of the arch villain Red Skull?” opined Peterson, who is clearly shocked that spouting hateful Nazi rhetoric on YouTube for years has resulted in him being parodied as a (wait for it) hateful Nazi on YouTube.

This is literally the Spider-Man pointing meme come to life.

Coates’s Red Skull employs the very same recruitment tactics of groups like the Proud Boys and the Oathkeepers: viral online conspiracy theories designed to indoctrinate angry disaffected young white men. Coates’ work is deeply relevant to our current political climate, and how the right uses conspiracy theories and disinformation to brainwash and radicalize conservatives.

And while Peterson shares plenty of similarities with Red Skull, I would argue that he bears a closer resemblance to Wonder Woman’s foe Doctor Psycho: both misogynist academics who use pseudo-science to back up their hateful beliefs. But that’s a minor quibble.

red skull peterson

Peterson’s angry response to the Red Skull depiction shows a complete lack of self-awareness and a strong sense of self-righteous victimhood. I mean, these are literally your talking points, my dude. Instead of complaining, maybe take a long hard look in the mirror and ask yourself, “how did I get to a place where my viewpoints mirror that of Marvel’s most famous Nazi?”

But of course, why do that when you can decry cancel culture and liberalism? Stay tuned for an angry essay from Peterson about how John Walker is HIS Captain America. Coates’s comparison also mirrors recent depictions of Spider-Man antagonist J. Jonah Jameson, who has evolved into an Alex Jones-style caricature. Like all art, comic books hold a mirror up to society, reflecting our current political and cultural moment.

Many took to Twitter to dunk on Peterson’s frustration:

Honestly, this is yet another reminder that conservatives have the thinnest skin of all. Jordan Peterson proves once again that his superpowers are hypocrisy and bad faith arguments. What an absolute clown shoe.

(featured image: Marvel Comics)

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Author
Image of Chelsea Steiner
Chelsea Steiner
Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.
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