Quoted By:
<span class="mu-b">“Even before then, there existed a…’stigma’ surrounding mutants. People claimed that they were dangerous, volatile, and incapable of properly controlling their powers. That event only served to further fuel the flames behind that movement, and the world has never been the same ever since.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“And people like Magneto and the Brotherhood haven’t been making things any easier.”</span>
Storm shook her head sadly.
<span class="mu-b">“Terrorism of any kind can muddy the reputation of any such ethnic group. Mutants are no different in that regard. And that brings us to yet another theory.”</span>
—----
For the next few minutes, you and Storm revisited the events of the Genoshan Genocide, as the fallout that resulted from the tragedy.
It was gruesome enough to spark sympathy for all mutants across multiple media platforms, and even started a trend in mutant representation in all forms of media. Which…didn’t go over well at all.
People started to complain that mutants and mutant apologists were invading the entertainment industry, firing talented artists, and sowing the seeds for world domination. This led to multiple extremist groups being born, and a renewed wave of discriminatory crimes and devious actions taken against mutantkind.
And while it was an interesting theory, Storm didn’t look like she was buying it either.
<span class="mu-r">“And what do <span class="mu-i">you</span> believe?”</span> you said, having finally worked up the nerve to ask the important questions.
Storm breathed out through her nose, crossed one leg over the other and began cradling her knee.
<span class="mu-b">“Do you really want to know?”</span>
You nodded.
Storm’s expression grew stern.
<span class="mu-b">“I believe that there are no rational excuses for the hateful behavior that non-mutants have shown my people. I do not believe that there is a villain or shadow-puppeteer behind everything that has happened. I think that people are scared and confused, and they take comfort in their ignorance. Because it is far easier to feel unified as a people when they have another group to discriminate against. Another group that is far-removed enough from humans where they can mistreat them without feeling guilty. Because if all of our societal issues are the fault of mutants, rather than our greedy, self-serving predecessors, then they can justify the persecution that they put us through, day after day.”</span> Storm explained, her clear blue eyes growing cloudy as heat crept into her voice.
<span class="mu-b">“The same goes for those that would exploit mutants for their own benefit. For the sake of ratings and reputation, while hiding behind our community and using us as shields to protect themselves from public criticism.”</span>
A quick glance outside told you that Storm wasn’t the only one with dark clouds hovering over her head. A rolling thunder rumbled through the roof of the cabin, and brief flashes of lightning could be seen at an uncomfortably close distance.
(Cont.)
