I am still in awe with Falcon and The Winter Soldier’s writing. Sam went from being an underrated side character to an undisputable and one of the best main characters seamlessly. The themes are absolutely stellar.
Particularly, when Isaiah and Sam had that conversation - I genuinely thought Sam would go ahead and destroy the shield. I thought that would make the most sense.
But when Sam said, ‘What is the point of all that pain and suffering, if I cannot stand up and keep fighting?’ - at that moment, I immediately knew that this man IS Captain America and this show IS something special that will change me as a person. I am not black but I am a POC Woman and I felt it on so many levels.
It would not be wrong and would be understandable to not want to represent something that has a history against you. It would be appropriate even. But in a crooked way, this means that the oppressors would have WON. They would have succeeded in making you consign by yourself. You become the means to the end they crave.
Sam Wilson taking up the shield is monumental in a way unparallelled because it means he makes it easy for millions to come (highlighted by the look on his nephew’s face). Sam Wilson had to go through the extra struggle of taking up a mantle he KNOWS he deserves just because there was no precedent. In addition to worrying about how that shield is someone else’s legacy and seeing it be tarnished in another man’s hands, he had to bear the burden of the conflict in regards to race. If he had given it up, nothing would have changed. Every other person following Sam would also have to face an unfair internal conflict in addition to their self-doubt, and other personal issues.
Sam taking up the shield will make it easier for those to come to stand up and take what they deserve. In the future, for another black man, it would be as easy to take up the shield as it was for John Walker. As easy as it was for Steve Rogers. As easy as Bucky thought it would be for Sam. Because there is a Sam Wilson who has done it before them. And if Sam Wilson did it, they also could because Sam Wilson is a righteous and GOOD man. Sam paved the way for others to not have the added weight and burden of having to set an example and instead simply follow his.
Samuel Thomas Wilson is Captain America. This feels right. This is right.
the kindest character in the mcu who right from the beginning has been one of the most empathetic voices that people can’t help but listen to, who can relate to the struggles of those who are ignored or tossed aside in favour for the big battles and players, whose first option is peace and not violence, who sees someone getting hurt and steps in even though he’s been disrespected by that person several times, is genuine and tries to make things right and cares.
sam wilson is everything. he is just sO good. Just the way he was talking to karli and everything. He is a Good Man!! He really cares for everybody and he sees the good in people!
