Melissa’s response to recent events - Warning this thread contains political subject matter

Kiwi, I agree with you about this website being a place where fans can talk about Supergirl safely and I believe this can be preserved while including any healthy conversation where Supergirl (both Kara and Melissa) raises important issues.

In your About Supergirl.tv statement there's a part that reads "a place where fans can talk about Supergirl safely" which I really like as this website being a little piece of the internet dedicated to the character of Supergirl. In joining this website the one subject I didn't want to read or discuss is Politics as I know it's not a very safe subject.

It may seem strange to say this, however, thank you for having the exact opposite opinion to mine. It is a good demonstration of Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations (I am borrowing that phrase from Star Trek). A philosophy that is still sadly lacking in today’s society and a societal issue where change is drastically needed.

To clear out any possible bias on my part, I am an Irish citizen registered to vote in my own country. I am proud of my countries stance on neutrality and guns (I hate guns; thankfully they are banned in Ireland and our ‘An Garda Síochána’ (‘Guardians of the Piece’ - e.g. Cops) don’t use them). I am aware that I don’t have the right to push any American towards any political point of view and I would not do this (that includes my opinion on your second amendment), however American history and politics is very interesting when observing from an outside and neutral point of view and I find it especially interesting to see how fictional worlds such as Supergirl’s Earth 38 and now Earth Prime can have stories reflecting our own Earths Social issues. Did I just border on hyperreality here?

Putting all politics aside for a second, it is clear from the two videos on this forum that Melissa is trying to do something good for society (which we should all be listening to and learning from) and in doing so she is mirroring Kara’s will to act such as in episodes like Season 2's 'Exodus'. The video posted here by Brierrose is an hour and a half long. I approached it intending on watching it over multiple sittings, but I got hooked and saw it in one session.

Back to Social and Political issues, it is important to note in discussions such as this one that Superman from the very beginning 1938 has always tackled political and social issues. The idea that both are journalists (Clark in the Daily Planet and now Kara in CatCo Worldwide Media) lends itself to these issues. It is part of Clark’s and by extension Kara’s history from Superman’s first action comics pages through his WWII “propaganda” (I wish I had a word with less negative connotations for this). The Fleischer/Famous Studios cartoons featured some politics and the Radio Show famously broadcast the story “Clan of the Fiery Cross” which was recently made in into a beautifully written and drawn three part periodical “Superman Smashes the Klan”. The NerdSync YouTube Channel has a very good presentation about that particular Radio Show story https://youtu.be/LUOODp8PQac.

I'm pretty much the exact opposite. I have a strong dislike for politics in the Arrowverse shows that I watch and it's sad for me to say that Supergirl is the worst of them all for it's politics. The Politics sucks a lot of enjoyment out of the show and even the enjoyment of being a part of this website. I'm all about the fantasy when it comes to Supergirl (the character) and her Superheroic moments are what keeps me watching, it's definitely not political commentary. I wouldn't have watched this show past it's trailer if it didn't like Supergirl so much (which was pretty much the case with Batwoman, a character I'm not really interested in and after reading the Synopsis and watching the Trailer I definitely saw there was nothing for me and haven't watched a single second and never will)

@Erie EL

Putting all politics aside for a second, it is clear from the two videos on this forum that Melissa is trying to do something good for society (which we should all be listening to and learning from) and in doing so she is mirroring Kara’s will to act such as in episodes like Season 2's 'Exodus'. The video posted here by Brierrose is an hour and a half long. I approached it intending on watching it over multiple sittings, but I got hooked and saw it in one session.

I had a similar experience when I found the video. When I saw how long it was I wasn't planning to watch it in one sitting but I wound up staying up later than usual to watch the whole thing in one go because I was hooked. This type of thing is nothing new for Melissa and makes me proud she's our Supergirl.

@Kelly

Melissa's messages have been heartfelt and strong, totally Melissa.

As far as what we are seeing. Revolution is rough, it's not pretty, it is not within the law sometimes, our country's history shows this. This Revolution is no different, this tipping point is no different now than those throughout our history. What IS DIFFERENT is the wide range of people we see in the streets protesting...and I think like Melissa, like myself it has made us take a look in the mirror and really look at our own wokeness. I found I was not as "woke" as I believed. This teacher, will listen more and speak less in my classroom. My students have a story to tell. I am recording interviews with ex-students and letting them tell their stories as a way to hopefully give my students this year the power to tell theirs.

Thank you Melissa for showing me really how important those stories are....

These conversations are hard, messy, and uncomfortable but they are very very necessary. Like Melissa and others I've also been examining my own Wokeness. I've determined I still have learning to do. While I've never denied that racism exists or that it's roots run deep in my country my actions against it were/are inadequate. I need to listen a lot more read more then use that knowledge to take action. As a white woman I have a part to play in this revolution. When we talk about how society treats women I need to invite the experiences of all women into that conversation, women of color should not have to ask to be included. A friend of mine, who is a white woman, was asked to step between the police and POC at a protest she attended. She told me about locking eyes with a cop who had hatred in his eyes. The protests that I've attended have either had no police presence or a respectful police presence. I hope if I'm ever asked to step forward, like my friend was, that in the moment I'd put aside my own discomfort and fear to let my actions speak what's in my heart.

Not on this website they're not, totally fine on social media, news websites, political forums etc. but their ought to be just 1 little small place on the internet were one doesn't have read or discuss such things


Anyways I know what I say doesn't really matter as I'm just a lone voice, the majority of posters here want political discussion and I'll leave them to that, it's just not something I'm looking for out of this website.

I agree Kiwi and your not a lone voice. There is an abundance of places already on the internet to discuss these topics and in far more depth. I don't have too much of an issue discussing that kind of stuff but I'd like to get a break every so often and talk about something else which is more relaxing and not controversial. This year has been pretty stressful with everything that's going on and its nice to get some escapism.

I know inevitably this stuff comes up in the show but wish there was less discussion of it. Season 4 of Supergirl for example there were fans who gave up of the series because it got overly political for them. What's kept me watching is Supergirl doing what she does and trying not to think too much about the political elements.

@ Kiwi I've not been here that long but it seems your an invaluable contributor so it would be a shame if you left.

Theoretically, I'd be in favor of not having political discussions. In practice, it's tough not to when the show itself has become very intentionally a political one.

Sorry to see you go, Kiwi.

As for Melissa's social media, I agree she can use her platform as she wishes. If she finds a sense of purpose in it, great. I'll give her musings as much attention and credence as I spare for any other celebrity's.

I would hate to lose Kiwi too and suspect he’s taking a break rather than quitting, I really hope that’s the case. Many long time contributors myself included have taken breaks then come back.

I agree that what Melissa says on her social media shouldn’t be given any more weight because of who she is. I still believe what she says is a valid forum topic for this site. I will pledge to keep my thoughts on any social issue stuff she posts confined to this thread.

I think Melissa and many others, myself included, are realizing that we fell under the latin phrase “Qui tacet consentire videtur”, meaning your silence is your consent. I think we are just finding our voice. Sometimes that "voice" in its infancy is very loud. I see it becoming more specific, strong, and much more organized in its delivery.

Some will agree, some will disagree....that is the beauty of this "Republic".

I don't hold Melissa's voice up above anyone else's, but her platform certainly is one that can deliver a strong message. We ALL should speak to our representatives more often. I found this out the hard way. I spoke to my Representatives at the State and Federal level about school's opening. They had not heard from any other teachers, that made me angry and I put it out there......they are hearing from us now, and we saw changes being made... we live in a time where “Qui tacet consentire videtur” cannot be allowed to exist. This is such a time.

This will be my last response on this particular subject. It will be interesting to see how "Supergirl" takes on today's news events. It's kind of funny actually, if you look back over the last few seasons......"Supergirl" has already taken on the events of today.

Kelly, excellent point and it might be too soon for any pandemic related stories, as that would both hit to close to home and be understandably very upsetting for a lot of people currently suffering through the real one.

I hope all the fans and admin on this site are keeping well and staying safe.

It will be interesting to see how "Supergirl" takes on today's news events. It's kind of funny actually, if you look back over the last few seasons......"Supergirl" has already taken on the events of today.

...“Qui tacet consentire videtur”, meaning your silence is your consent...I spoke to my Representatives at the State and Federal level about school's opening. They had not heard from any other teachers, that made me angry and I put it out there......they are hearing from us now, and we saw changes being made... we live in a time where “Qui tacet consentire videtur” cannot be allowed to exist. This is such a time.

How can a non teacher non parent best support teachers and schools right now,

It will be interesting to see how "Supergirl" takes on today's news events. It's kind of funny actually, if you look back over the last few seasons......"Supergirl" has already taken on the events of today.

I’m not sure the most recent current events would be a good fit for the show. A story line with a disease related pandemic where main character would be impervious to the disease IMO isn’t a good fit. Addressing systemic racism I don’t think is a great fit either, while it could be done it wouldn’t be a Kara focused storyline. What could possibly fit is now that the DEO appears to be going away and Kara and Alex etc. are actually full on vigilantes there could be a story there. Alex has in the past violently questioned people, maybe the sisters disagree on where the lines are now that they’re the ones drawing them. That could lead to some meaty sister scenes.

. "A story line with a disease related pandemic where main character would be impervious to the disease IMO isn’t a good fit"

Probably not - but what if the lead character is in fact susceptible to the disease (but assumes at first that she isn't)? What if the Earth virus came in contact with a kryptonite meteorite, and picked up some Kryptonian DNA (or RNA), which it incorporated into its own genome?
Hmmm... now *that* might be an intriguing story line!

. "A story line with a disease related pandemic where main character would be impervious to the disease IMO isn’t a good fit"

Probably not - but what if the lead character is in fact susceptible to the disease (but assumes at first that she isn't)? What if the Earth virus came in contact with a kryptonite meteorite, and picked up some Kryptonian DNA (or RNA), which it incorporated into its own genome?
Hmmm... now *that* might be an intriguing story line!

Stewart, do I sense a new fan story brewing?

I think Melissa and many others, myself included, are realizing that we fell under the latin phrase “Qui tacet consentire videtur”, meaning your silence is your consent. I think we are just finding our voice. Sometimes that "voice" in its infancy is very loud. I see it becoming more specific, strong, and much more organized in its delivery.

Regarding “Qui tacet consentire videtur,” recently, the MeToo movement emphasized the importance of positive consent. We are all familiar with "no means no," obviously. But we are made to understand that consent is not given unless you hear a "Yes."

Silence is just that. Silence. Anyone's interpretation of that silence is not the problem of the silent person.

A bit of wisdom attributed to President Lincoln: "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt."

Probably not - but what if the lead character is in fact susceptible to the disease (but assumes at first that she isn't)? What if the Earth virus came in contact with a kryptonite meteorite, and picked up some Kryptonian DNA (or RNA), which it incorporated into its own genome?
Hmmm... now *that* might be an intriguing story line!

Or what if Kara was still impervious but asymptomatic. We saw in 'Childish Things' and 'Bunker Hill' that she can be affected by unusual particles in concentrated doses.

1. 'Childish Things' she had to clear her throat for a while after inhaling Toyman's gas
   
2. 'Bunker Hill' she was temporarily stunned by Manchester Black's Moondust
   

What if Kara has to realise the need to wear a mask when rescuing people, especially if the reason she realises this need is due to the after effect on a previous rescue. This would not contradict her opinion on mask wearing in 'The Darkest Place'.

It is a tricky direction for writers to go and they would have to be very sensitive in their writing. On the one hand it may help to educate those that still don't seem to understand how serious the current pandemic situation is. On the other hand if mishandled it could upset people who are directly affected.

It is always a pleasure to communicate with the members of this website, please stay safe.

"Or what if Kara was still impervious but asymptomatic. We saw in 'Childish Things' and 'Bunker Hill' that she can be affected by unusual particles in concentrated doses."

Yes, but if Kara is not really in much serious danger herself, there isn't much dramatic tension. After all, she's the protagonist. That was one of the criticisms that people were making about my early attempts at writing Supergirl fan fiction. Since then, I've been careful not to allow Kara to seem too invulnerable or "overpowered". Actually, I deliberately lowered her power and vulnerability levels to something closer to the Golden Age Superman. (Otherwise, it's hard for human villains to pose much of a real threat to her.)

Anyway, for this story - maybe Lex Luthor (or another major high-tech villain) gets an early look at the new virus, and identifies segments of Kryptonian DNA sequences in it. But Kara doesn't know that, and just figures it's a typical Earth virus, and that it won't affect her. When the villains use it against her, she is clearly taken by surprise. Then it's up to the Supergirl Team - with Kara at the helm - to figure out how to defeat this new threat (both to her and to the human population), and possibly how to turn it against the villains. As Shakespeare put it, "hoist with his own petard" - always an excellent dramatic device!

"It is always a pleasure to communicate with the members of this website, please stay safe."

Same to you!

...“Qui tacet consentire videtur”, meaning your silence is your consent...I spoke to my Representatives at the State and Federal level about school's opening. They had not heard from any other teachers, that made me angry and I put it out there......they are hearing from us now, and we saw changes being made... we live in a time where “Qui tacet consentire videtur” cannot be allowed to exist. This is such a time.

How can a non teacher non parent best support teachers and schools right now,

It will be interesting to see how "Supergirl" takes on today's news events. It's kind of funny actually, if you look back over the last few seasons......"Supergirl" has already taken on the events of today.

I’m not sure the most recent current events would be a good fit for the show. A story line with a disease related pandemic where main character would be impervious to the disease IMO isn’t a good fit. Addressing systemic racism I don’t think is a great fit either, while it could be done it wouldn’t be a Kara focused storyline. What could possibly fit is now that the DEO appears to be going away and Kara and Alex etc. are actually full on vigilantes there could be a story there. Alex has in the past violently questioned people, maybe the sisters disagree on where the lines are now that they’re the ones drawing them. That could lead to some meaty sister scenes.

I wasn't thinking about them doing anything from today's headlines.
1. Season 2 talked about a disease infecting other aliens.
2. Season 2 talked about immigration.
3. Season 4 talked about racism and disenfrachising a group of people.
4. Season 5, IMO iud not really have a clear pathway to where ot wanted to go. But did speak on transgender issues.
5. I think Season 6 needs to go the way of Season 3. Choose a STRONG VILLAIN, like Reign and look back to some villains from Season 1 such as Reactron for a few episodes, not just one....and really get back to the comics in a way that Season 3 first half did.

Interesting CatPat posted picture in the Coronavirus Q&A Forum that could suggest exactly what I was referring to:

Supergirl with Mask

There are other Arrowverse posters too:

Arrowverse with Masks

Stewart Tick -

Eire El - "Or what if Kara was still impervious but asymptomatic. We saw in 'Childish Things' and 'Bunker Hill' that she can be affected by unusual particles in concentrated doses."

Yes, but if Kara is not really in much serious danger herself, there isn't much dramatic tension. After all, she's the protagonist. That was one of the criticisms that people were making about my early attempts at writing Supergirl fan fiction. Since then, I've been careful not to allow Kara to seem too invulnerable or "overpowered". Actually, I deliberately lowered her power and vulnerability levels to something closer to the Golden Age Superman. (Otherwise, it's hard for human villains to pose much of a real threat to her.)

Anyway, for this story - maybe Lex Luthor (or another major high-tech villain) gets an early look at the new virus, and identifies segments of Kryptonian DNA sequences in it. But Kara doesn't know that, and just figures it's a typical Earth virus, and that it won't affect her. When the villains use it against her, she is clearly taken by surprise. Then it's up to the Supergirl Team - with Kara at the helm - to figure out how to defeat this new threat (both to her and to the human population), and possibly how to turn it against the villains. As Shakespeare put it, "hoist with his own petard" - always an excellent dramatic device!

"Stewart, do I sense a new fan story brewing?"

Well, Superbill...

I'm going to start on my next Supergirl story this week. And I was toying with these sorts of ideas about a new virus in National City, but it seems like that's hitting too close to home now. I was also thinking about something dealing with street demonstrations in the City, but I'd say that's become too politicized for me to touch at this point. I think I'll go back to my "travelogue" type of stories, and send Kara to Ireland this time (probably for a space rescue mission). Of course, I want to get Kara's musical talents in the mix, too. I'm planning to have her meet up with Allie Sherlock and join her onstage in Dublin with her guitar (as Kara Danvers, of course).
How does that sound?

I'm going to start on my next Supergirl story this week. And I was toying with these sorts of ideas about a new virus in National City, but it seems like that's hitting too close to home now. I was also thinking about something dealing with street demonstrations in the City, but I'd say that's become too politicized for me to touch at this point. I think I'll go back to my "travelogue" type of stories, and send Kara to Ireland this time (probably for a space rescue mission). Of course, I want to get Kara's musical talents in the mix, too. I'm planning to have her meet up with Allie Sherlock and join her onstage in Dublin with her guitar (as Kara Danvers, of course).
How does that sound?

Sounds entertaining, Stewart! I'll be watching for it.

WARNING this post is extremely political. Since it’s an interview that Melissa did I believe it has a place in the forum.

I debated for over a week weather to post this and what’s happened in the past two days has made my decision. Over the past couple of days I’ve felt anxious and scared. I’ve never struggled with anxiety before even over the past seven months of this pandemic but the past two days have done me in. Some of the issues discussed in the interview are the ones feeding my anxiety. I feel the need to reach out to my fellow humans in any and all forms.

Melissa interviewed Representative Karen Bass through IG on October 16th. They start by taking about the violence against women act, which was allowed to expire, and move on to have an informed and intelligence talk on other issues.



Not unexpectedly Melissa received some nasty negative comments for this IG live interview. While I don’t believe celebrities political views are more important than the views of us regular people they have the same rights to express their opinions as everyone else. I disagree with those who told her to shut up and entertain. To me if you can’t come up with something better than shut up and entertain it means you can't present a factual and well thought out counter argument.

Quoting Brierrose: "While I don’t believe celebrities political views are more important than the views of us regular people they have the same rights to express their opinions as everyone else."

This is so true and thanks for stating it, though it should be obvious to everyone. It is disturbing that many people seem to believe that the only people deserving of freedom of speech are those who they agree with, and also that celebrities forfeit that right just because they are celebrities. This is nonsense, and you are correct in saying that people who say such things have no factual counter argument. Plus they are emboldened by the anonymity of the internet.

Hang in there, Brierrose. This too shall pass. Truth and justice always win out in the end.

Quoting Brierrose: "While I don’t believe celebrities political views are more important than the views of us regular people they have the same rights to express their opinions as everyone else."

And...people like myself have the right to offer a rebuttal, especially to the likes of "Representative" Bass...who was honored byby a member of Communist Party USA last August. It's not to my shock she represents a tyrannical totalitarian run state like California which is falling apart at the seems. She may deny being a socialist or even communist, but everytime some globalist operative like Bass opens her mouth, she's lying.

And do not even get me started on the corporate elite media who's silence or writing favorably of the likes of Antifa and Black Lives (LIES) Matter has led to all the violence in this country and could lead to an all out second Civil War.

My state CT has a similar congress creature...Rosa DeLauro a woman who has "represented" an area including the leftist enclave of New Haven for a long time...too long if you ask me.