‘Across the Spider-Verse’: Black Solidarity vs. The Convenience of Allyship

It’s been two weeks since I saw Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, but there’s still so much to unpack. The movie is riddled with numerous themes, and the ones that stand out to me the most center around friendship and solidarity. I’m reminded of a quote from Samurai Jack where Jack’s father, The Emperor, tells him, “The decisions you make, and the actions that follow are a reflection of who you are. You cannot hide from yourself.” I’ve been thinking about that quote a lot in relation to the decisions of Hobie Brown and Spider-Byte and the actions of Gwen Stacy and Peter B. Parker towards Miles Morales. whether incidentally or on purpose, Across the Spider-Verse show us the convenience of white allyship compared against the choice of Black solidarity. Spoilers if you haven’t seen the movie. Those that have seen the movie might know where I am going with this. Given their history from Into the Spider-Verse, Gwen Stacy and Peter B. Parker are Miles’ day ones. They each gave Miles a piece of the puzzle to being Spider-Man then saw Miles put it together on his own. Which makes their choices and actions against Miles that much more hurtful when they side with Miguel O’Hara and the establishment that he’s built. What About Your Friends

Before I start, I feel this needs to be said as an internet disclaimer before anyone asks, “Why you gotta bring race into it?” *Looks at the name of the site then stares into the camera like Mr. Eddie from Abbott Elementa…