My concern with the Cap 4 boycott.

My name is Harry Bray. I am a 24 year old paraplegic British immigrant to California. I’ve never read the Captain America comics but I like the films, particularly First Avenger (unpopular opinion I know), I liked Winter Soldier but (don’t hate me) civil war wasn’t so hot. Now I’m looking forward to the 4th one to see Sam as Cap. I’ve read other marvel comics such as Thor, Spider-Man and Fantastic Four, and have the masterworks volumes of the early comics. Now, I hear some are boycotting the film due to this Sabra character, the fact she’s IsraeIi, the fact she’s allegedly named after this big Palestinian massacre, and of course the ongoing war/ genocide in the region. However I think this is misguided. After further research, I’ve determined that Sabra has a minimal role in the finished film, her actress, 30 year old Israeli Shira Haas, does not support the current government and merely wants the hostages freed (by the way, cute, cute, cute!) and in addition she has a sad history of battling childhood cancer. I have no particular feelings one way or the other about Sabra the character, but the wider implications of this particular boycott trouble me as a moderate. Boycott this for one Israeli character, played by an actress who essentially seems like a social moderate (Unlike some people, lookin’ at you, Gal.) and you boycott a movie which

. Gives prominent supporting roles to two acclaimed African American thespians in their 60s/70s (Carl Lumbly, Giancarlo Esposito.)

. puts one of the most famous movie stars in the world, a 82 year old straight white man who votes centrist democrat, gives him LAST BILLING, into a supporting villainous role, something he rarely if ever does.

. Features a Latinx man taking up the previous mantle of the African American hero.

. Has the African American hero question US exceptionalism and imperialism.

i’m well aware that I’m not really qualified to comment on a politics adjacent US film or character as an immigrant, but I’ve been here for ten years and I’m growing sick of the nihilism and division that characterises the current discourse, particularly the constant criticism of America being allegedly pushed right and the constant criticism of the modern Democratic Party over the past 30 years. Clinton was NOT good but Obama was hugely impressive, he was the real life Cap IMO. Biden was OK, did his best. Boycotting this movie and saying it’s US/ Israeli propaganda is analogous to a Brit boycotting the average episode of Doctor Who where he works with UNIT and calling that propaganda for a resurgence of the British empire through military intervention.