[This essay contains spoilers for Captain America: Brave New World.]

Captain America: Brave New World has drawn a divided response from critics and general audiences. And given how divided America is right now, and the questions concerning what the American Dream even means today, it’s both fitting and frustrating. While the film certainly has its share of structural and technical wrinkles that can’t be smoothed over, a significant part of this division comes down to expectations. And just as it was in the comics, segueing from Steve Rogers to Sam Wilson doesn’t come without controversy.

With America facing historic levels of corruption, apathy and greed while civil, social gender, immigration and education rights are being dismantled by the day, nobody seems to know what to do. Our elected officials won’t save us. The wealthy won’t save us. And white Americans, who hold the vast majority of voting power in the country,...