What if Storm was Quare? Muslim?
So! Let me be clear: This isn’t a recommendation that we should do this, nor do I want to sound presumptuous. I’m just speculation on the sociological and Intersectional observations and analyses we could have of the character in these cases.
What if Storm was Quare? So, for those of you knew, Quare is commonly cited as a AAVE pronunciation of Queer, at least etymologically. With that said, Quare Studies is a little bit different than Queer Studies, though not inconsistently so. Quare refers to the racialized sexuality and the sexualized race of queer people of color. So, the question remains, what is Storm was quare? Storm is a deeply storied character, but a notable point is she really doesn’t have a classic love interest. She’s been with Wolverine, Black Panther, and Angel here and there, but it’s not like Cyclops and Jean Grey, or Rogue and Gambit, or Nightcrawler and Scarlet Witch. Storm’s love interests come and go. This could be read as her not fully allowing herself to get close to men? Perhaps she’s sapphic. Storm has certainly been both a femme and a butch over her history. Perhaps she’s not sure who she loves, or how she loves? Also, when you consider her proudness of her body, that certainly correlates with the excitement many transwomen have to show of their bodies. Plus, as an African woman, Storm would have an already harder time relating to white queers, so Quare as a racialized identity may be appealing to her? And perhaps she takes the classes and Teaches Quare Studies as an elective at the Institute? Maybe
Butch Storm
Femme Storm
What if Storm was Muslim? This is an interesting one. First thing, let’s address Islam and Africa. Storm is originally from Kenya, and Islam makes up about 6% of Kenyan’s religious beliefs, so it’s not impossible she’d get it there. Though more likely, she’d have picked it up in Egypt during her years as a homeless pickpocket (many people turn to religion during times of hardship). Now, let me be clear, I’m fully aware not all Muslim Women wear hijabs, but if Storm did, it’d be a very interesting take. Storm’s white hair is iconic, but its also been one of the biggest criticism of the character over the years. It’s mostly straight, being devoid of Black hair texture, and even keeping a Black woman from having dark hair at all has been criticized. So if a modern writer gave Storm a hijab, it’d be…not a fix exactly, but perhaps an acknowledgement of that criticism. That being said, Storm was worshipped as a goddess when she returned to Kenya, and I doubt a practicing Muslim would let that happen, so that would be a conflict (unless of course she converted as an adult)
Couldn’t Storm wear this with a hijab over it?
