X-men : a alegoria do preconceito e o ensino de história nos quadrinhos de X

Abstract

Prejudice, as a social attribution of malignity, has been a source of tensions and conflicts that persist over time and generate social phenomena documented throughout history. Social injustices are committed against individuals or groups and are recognized by historical analysis as significant and complex sensitive topics, often involving violence. In this context, historical knowledge can contribute to the development of humanizing actions rooted in understanding and empathy, aimed at promoting change and fostering conflict resolution. To enhance the dissemination of historical facts, science may employ strategies that both encourage reflection and render topics more engaging and accessible, particularly for non-specialist audiences, thereby increasing the effectiveness of history education. With this in mind, the guiding question of this research is: in what ways can comic books contribute to addressing prejudice, and how can they support the teaching of history? This study thus aims to analyze comic books which, in addition to being cultural expressions, address social issues and sensitive topics?as is the case with the adventures of the mutant group X-Men, featured in comic books published and distributed across several countries, including Brazil. These stories often tackle themes related to prejudice and have inspired the production of films, books, and academic studies. The research draws upon X-Men comic books published in Brazil between 1969 and 2006, selected from the author's personal collection, from which four specific stories were chosen for analysis. The thematic study is further supported by academic works in the fields of social history, philosophy, and psychology, which explore similar subjects. An interdisciplinary methodological approach was employed, as the theme encourages dialogue between the domains of history education and psychology, particularly considering the role of fantasy within this scope. The topic also intersects with these fields of knowledge to highlight situations in which prejudice arises, encouraging discussion and critical engagement, particularly concerning issues of sexuality, which serves as a central example. As a practical outcome, the study proposes the development and implementation of workshops under the title "Transformative Comics," aimed at encouraging students to analyze comic books that address traditional historical themes and/or socially sensitive issues, and to create their own comics. This process fosters learning through activities that integrate linguistic resources with elements of fantasy and playfulness. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]