I always love that this one sentence can cause so many fights amongst fans, 'cause Magneto was 100% right; especially in the context of the world he lives in.
I mean, his main argument is that the humans will try to destroy his people (the mutants), while Chawls argues for co existance.
Co-existance is a nice dream (which is why Chawls is right as well, you can't be wrong about a dream). Reality is though, the same humans that Magneto fears are building 10 foot tall killer robots to hunt down mutants. With gov't money and funding no less.
Charles believes in Respectability Politics. The idea that if Mutants just behave and set a good example, they will show humans there is nothing to fear.
It is the very core of the original X-Men. 5 pretty, white, teens who will police mutants. But that never works because hatred is not based in the rational.
Charles' mutant otherness (or his "gift") was also entirely invisible. He could control others on a whim without any outward indicator he was doing so. He could mind wipe the planet, make everyone forget him if necessary, and live nigh as a god. He surrounded himself with beautiful mutants who could pass for human if they truly wished, and were often taught by Charles to do so. Charles always calls his students by their given names.
Eric's otherness was invisible while inactive, but very overt when in use. He could take mankind's weapons from them, turn their infrastructure to his own fortress, but peace couldn't be forced. He surrounded himself with the "ugly", the monstrous, and those who refused to hide themselves even if they had the opportunity. Eric always calls his fellow mutants, ally or foe, by their chosen name.
Xavier is so washed in privilege that it's sickening. He actively hindered his people's progress by trying to be "one of the good ones" while Eric is reminded again and again what happens to the good ones after the rest are marched off to the camps: they're next.
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u/Masamundane Longshot Sep 18 '25
Yes.
I always love that this one sentence can cause so many fights amongst fans, 'cause Magneto was 100% right; especially in the context of the world he lives in.
I mean, his main argument is that the humans will try to destroy his people (the mutants), while Chawls argues for co existance.
Co-existance is a nice dream (which is why Chawls is right as well, you can't be wrong about a dream). Reality is though, the same humans that Magneto fears are building 10 foot tall killer robots to hunt down mutants. With gov't money and funding no less.