The Compliance of Captain America: What Brave New World Gets Wrong
Written by Jhaynane Bastien
Captain America: Brave New World was supposed to mark a new era in superhero storytelling, with Sam Wilson stepping fully into his role as the new Captain America. For many, this was meant to be a powerful moment—one that finally saw a Black man take up the shield and continue the legacy of fighting for justice. But instead of embodying the rebellious spirit of Steve Rogers, Sam’s Captain America is presented as a figure of compliance, someone who will work with the President “no matter who it is” simply because of their position.
In today’s political climate, this is not just a throwaway line. It sends a clear and troubling message about obedience to power, rather than standing against injustice—an idea that directly contradicts everything Steve Rogers represented when he was Captain America.
Captain America: The Symbol of Hope, Now a Symbol of Compliance?
Captain America has always been more than just a hero—he is a symbol of hope, justice, and, most importantly, moral conviction. When Steve Rogers carried the shield, he wasn’t afraid to challenge corrupt systems. In Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), he defied S.H.I.E.L.D. when he discovered it was infiltrated by Hydra. In Civil War (2016), he refused to sign the Sokovia Accords because he saw it as a way for governments to control superheroes. Steve’s Captain America was never just a soldier—he was a revolutionary who followed his conscience, not orders.
But in Brave New World, Sam Wilson’s Captain America does the exact opposite. Instead of questioning authority, he explicitly states that he will work with the President no matter who it is. This might seem like a neutral statement, but in the current political landscape—where democracy itself is under threat, and where leaders can (and have) weaponized power against marginalized communities—it reads as something much more concerning.
A Black Captain America, willingly pledging allegiance to the highest office in the land, no matter who holds it? That’s not just disappointing—it’s a dog whistle.
From Rebel to Subservient: The Politics of Race in Superhero Films
One of the most glaring differences between Steve and Sam as Captain America is how they interact with the government. Steve was constantly at odds with the people in power, making it clear that his allegiance was to the people, not the establishment. He famously said in Civil War, “The safest hands are still our own.” He rejected the idea that superheroes should answer to governments with their own agendas.
But in Brave New World, Sam’s Captain America is written differently. He is placed firmly within the system, working alongside the U.S. government rather than questioning it. This is a stark contrast to how Steve was portrayed, and the racial implications of this shift cannot be ignored.
There is a long history of Black heroes in Hollywood being positioned as figures who serve the system rather than challenge it. From Glory (1989) to Men of Honor (2000), Black characters are often either sacrificed for the greater good or shown as being willing to follow orders, even when those orders go against their own interests. This trend is part of a broader cultural narrative that suggests Black people must be “twice as good” or prove their worth through unwavering loyalty to institutions that have historically oppressed them.
Sam Wilson’s Captain America, as presented in Brave New World, falls into this pattern. Rather than being a figure of resistance, he is a figure of obedience. He is not leading a movement—he is reinforcing the existing power structure.
The Dog Whistle: What This Film Subtly Tells Us
A “dog whistle” is a political message that is subtle enough to go unnoticed by the general public but clear enough for those who understand its underlying meaning. In this case, Brave New World sends the message that the Black Captain America’s job is not to challenge the system but to uphold it.
This is especially troubling in the current political climate, where conversations about racial injustice, police brutality, and government overreach are at the forefront. A Captain America who follows orders rather than fights for justice is a drastic departure from what the character has always represented.
Imagine if Steve Rogers had said he would work with the President “no matter who it is.” It would feel entirely out of character. Captain America’s role has never been to blindly follow authority—it has been to stand up for what is right, no matter the cost.
So why is it different for Sam? Why is the Black Captain America the one who is written as deferential to power? The answer is uncomfortable but clear: Hollywood is still afraid of a truly radical Black hero.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The unfortunate truth is that Brave New World had the potential to redefine what it means to be Captain America, but instead, it played into safe, government-approved messaging. A Black Captain America should have been the most radical iteration of the character yet—one who directly confronted America’s history of racism, imperialism, and systemic injustice.
Instead, we got a film that subtly reinforces the idea that Black leaders must assimilate, must comply, must be respectful to power rather than challenge it. That is not hope. That is not justice. That is not Captain America.
If there is one thing we should take from this film, it’s this: The real fight for justice does not come from obedience. It comes from knowing when to stand up, when to resist, and when to demand better. Because in the end, Captain America should never be about protecting power—he should be about protecting the people.
And if the movies won’t show that, then it’s up to us to make sure the world does.
