It's interesting how there is quite a lot of overlap in the treatment of Riri and Sam in fandom spaces. Not saying it's all the same, or that they must be your faves, but it's interesting how fandom conversations take place. This is longer than I expected.
There are some people that come across like they are mad that anyone likes or defends these characters. There was a video that someone made "debunking" defenses of Ironheart. I didn't watch it, but it was so strange to make that IMO. There are people that go to positive posts about Sam and Riri just to say something negative. There are some people that post constant negativity in Sam's tag instead of practicing fandom etiquette. There's a lack of grace given to Sam and Riri, and their mental and emotional states pushed aside or made fun of. There have been many claims that Sam hasn't been through much, and whatever he has been through doesn't matter. It’s similar with Riri. There's no consideration for what she's dealing with, and I even saw someone making fun of her "having panic attacks all over the place." They found it funny and went on the claim that she 'dissed" Tony, and she did not do that. They have both been accused of treating everyone or almost everyone around them poorly, which isn't true and an absurd talking point. Shipping conversations are often very odd in these spaces, and IMO take up a lot of space, sometimes too much. It's interesting that men older than Sam or men that are his peers are fine to be shipped with teens and 20 somethings, but Sam and Joaquin are "illegal" and "gross." Not saying you must ship them, but it's such extreme reaction to that fanon. Leila and Sam were a couple in the comics at one point, so it's strange to see "let men and women be friends” comments about them. Not to mention some other odd fanon pairings that some are trying to claim would be interesting, but only because it would provide an excuse for the other character's behavior towards Sam. Riri is 19 during WF and her show, and there are ships involving her and people in their 30s and 40s, not to mention the ship with Riri and a 15-year-old character. Those older people have also committed harm towards her. Yet Riri and Xavier, the person she likes, are "weird." Again, not saying you must ship it, but an odd reaction. To each their own with ships, and ship and let ship, and on and on. Also, it is “interesting" how some people claim Sam and Riri are unqualified for their roles. Yet they claim that people that were shown to be bad at said role are "better" or people that weren't shown to be qualified to do anything are "better." On a related note, it’s “funny” when comics matter and when they don’t. Also, listening to rap music or using AAVE doesn't make someone less intelligent or "bad." There have been some strange comments about using AAVE or rap music playing during the show or movie. Additionally, it's very weird how the actor's looks continue to be a talking point. I won’t get into beauty standards and all that. Though some should examine how that plays a role. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and so on. Plus, you don't have to personally find xyz person attractive, but these conversations come across as one of the reasons those that bring up their looks don't like these characters is because they don't find the actors attractive. That's a very odd way to view and discuss media IMO. Also, there's the view that if I say xyz isn't attractive then no one should find them attractive. It’s like how there are some people that believe that if they don't like a character then no one else should, and that's especially the case with Sam and Riri.
The recent posts from @crookedchoppedkingdom also reminded me of the "flop" comments that BNW and IH received before they even released. The discussions about numbers takes a weird turn sometimes. There's this need that some have to claim guesses like trailer dislikes or marketing budgets as fact when we can't see those numbers. It was very *interesting* to see comments like Disney "bought" the IH numbers, IH and BNW's steaming numbers don't matter, or the blame placed on BNW for what happened with other movies.
Another thing to add is that people want characters who don't even know Sam or Riri to hate/bully/resent/bash them. That post from the other day wasn't the first time I've seen someone say Peter would hate Riri or have an issue with her. It reminded me of the whole Sam will go to the tower, and that team will "bash" him "jokingly." It's just ridiculous, and all of this is about the fact that Sam and Riri exist in these spaces as leads.
Still true, and we can even add on to that last part with this upcoming movie. We don't even actually know the official lineup, but the terrible takes have already started we can also add how some people want Wakanda to have beef with Sam and Riri for no reason, but expect them to welcome the * despite them working under Val, and those people under the sea despite the flood their army caused. It's so wild.
Another thing to add is how often both of them are sexualize. There are constant comments about Sam's body. Even his fight scenes get sexualized. Riri is still quite young, and I do think some are really holding on to stereotypes about women in male dominated fields, but so many takes write her in this very sexualized way.
I say often that Sam doesn't need to be around that team, but let me add that also goes for Riri. She would not join this team, and she certainly doesn't need to be around any of them. Why would she be? Idk which of those is more ridiculous, but I have seen suggestions for both.
I've mentioned the shipping conversations around them, but it bares repeating that these conversations take a really weird turn. How is it a problem if people like/ship Riri and Xavier? He is her canon love interest in the show, and there are some hints of it in the comics. Clearly there are romantic feelings between them. You don't have to ship them, but what's "weird" about them? It's really a harmless ship. Some people really need to examine the clear stereotypes they are holding onto regarding women in male dominated fields, especially when it comes to dark skinned Black women. When it comes to both Sam and Riri, these takes that they are "aggressive" or would "bully" or be "toxic" to their romantic partners really need to go somewhere. Where does this even come from, and why do some people think writing Black characters this way is cute? This makes no sense for either of them. Let's also consider the optics. This also isn't about "let Black characters be bad." That's another topic, and some people also need to learn to discuss that beyond surface level.
Have your fanon, but people need to remember that fanon is just that. None of that is actually happening in the narrative. Sam should get to have an actual romance, so being weird about one of his comic canon love interests is just as ridiculous as being weird about Riri and Xavier. Again, you don't have to like them, people get a grip about them being "in the way" of your fanon. Even when talking about fanon, they are constantly hyper sexualized, and that's not actually supporting Black characters.
