A lot has been said about whether or not you should punch Nazis. Should you punch them? Shouldn't you? You should, says Warren Ellis.
But one of the most prominent anti-Nazi-punching proponents is the current writer of Captain America comics for Marvel, Nick Spencer. Despite Captain America demonstrably punching the top Nazi on the cover of Captain America #1, Spencer says that Nazis should not be punched because freedom of speech. It is, perhaps, not surprising, given Captain America is himself a Nazi in Spencer's ongoing storylines.
Another Captain America, however, remains firmly in the anti-Nazi camp. Actor Chris Evans, who plays Cap in the Marvel cinematic universe, is currently involved in a Twitter feud with former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. The seeds were planted months ago, when Duke tweeted an article he wrote in support of the appointment of Jeff Sessions as Donald Trump's attorney general, despite objections that Sessions has a long history of bigotry and sexism.
Mr. Trump's appointment of Bannon, Flynn and Sessions are the first steps in the project of taking America back.https://t.co/Yn2gJ8LtUf
— David Duke (@DrDavidDuke) November 18, 2016
In the wake of Sessions' approval last night, Evans fired back:
If David Duke….DAVID!…DUKE!… thinks you're right, then you are unequivocally wrong. The confirmation of @jeffsessions is beyond words. https://t.co/CuLUznwO6S
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) February 9, 2017
And Duke, who is basically a real life comic book villain, replied:
Typical dumb actor – if everything I say is wrong, then when I say I oppose these Zionists wars, you must be for them, Captain America!? https://t.co/fsxQHgzdWD
— David Duke (@DrDavidDuke) February 9, 2017
Evans fired back:
well if these nuggets of bigotry are some of your OTHER thoughts, then I stand by my original tweet https://t.co/YSrOCDuyBw
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) February 9, 2017
And:
We can't let hatred be the loudest voice. https://t.co/bqRPRXo453
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) February 9, 2017
Admittedly, Evans' tweets aren't quite as satisfying to watch as this:
Richard Spencer got punched in the face during the protests at Trump's #inauguration pic.twitter.com/oQAwtbtEeT
— Gender🚁Professecs (@gprofessx) January 20, 2017
But it's good to see at least one Captain America acting true to character.