Disney Jr's new animated series 'Hey AJ!' has sparked heated debate after Episode 8 introduced a superhero named 'Captain Durag.' What was intended as playful representation has instead triggered backlash within parts of the Black community, with critics arguing the character reinforces stereotypes rather than challenges them.
The controversy intensified after clips and screenshots circulated online, particularly as the episode aired during Black History Month. Social media users questioned the character's portrayal, while the show's writer, Camille Corbet, publicly defended her creative decision.
The backlash centres on 'Captain Durag', a superhero featured inHey AJ!, a Disney Jr children's series inspired by former Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champion and children's book author Martellus Bennett's family.
According to the show's premise, 'Hey AJ!is a high-energy adventure comedy about a curious and extremely imaginative 7-year-old girl, AJ.'
The superhero is a character who wears a durag covering his face as a mask and is wearing a purple superhero outfit with a cape. In the show, the superhero has his own show and has become an inspiration for AJ. Captain Durag taught her how to clean her room and fold her clothes.
But it is exactly why people didn't like it, even though creators argue it's a representation. In the show, Captain Durag's lore is that he is a superhero who takes care of Slime City—cleaning trash and fighting off trash monsters.
In an X post by user, Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre), they wrote that 'Many Black Americans feel this is extremely disrespectful and even more so during Black History Month.'
🔥🚨BREAKING: Disney is under massive backlash from the Black community for launching a children’s tv show featuring a new superhero created by Disney Jr. called Captain Durag who can be seen flying around the with Durag covering his face as a mask.Many Black Americans feel…pic.twitter.com/PEFK7hLMjQ
Meanwhile, on TikTok, content creator Eli (elijxhvega) criticised the show.
He said, 'Is Captain Durag supposed to be some type of representation? Like, am I missing something? This isn't what we meant when we said we wanted black superheroes without electricity powers! Facts! This man, Martellus Bennett, needs to be tried for his crimes against the black community!'
Source: International Business Times UK
