Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: KAMALA KHAN

Julia Roth

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Ms Marvel Kamala Khan

Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we shine a spotlight on strong women who inspire us. Now, this not only includes fictional female characters in geeky media, but creators as well. These ladies are a prime example of female empowerment and how crucial it is for kids to have said example to follow.

Disclaimer: This post features spoilers for Ms. Marvel comics. I highly suggest checking them out if you are a fan of the Marvel universe!

Kamala Khan

Kamala Khan using her polymorph abilities.

Fast Facts

Kalama Khan is a Pakistani-American from Jersey City, New Jersey. Her parents Yusuf Khan and Muneeba Khan relocated with their Kamala’s older brother Aamir from Karachi, Pakistan. At a young age, she bonded closely with her two best friends Nakia Bahadir and Bruno Carrelli. In her early years, Kamala was mocked by her other peers for her nerdy interests as well as her strict parents and religion. She found a healthy escape through her love of video games, fan fiction, and superheroes. Most notably was her love with Carol Danvers.

Like any teenager, Kamala Khan had a moment where she broke the rules. She snuck out to a party at the Jersey Waterfront against her parent’s and Bruno’s wishes. After feeling ostracized by a few of her classmates she decided to leave and head home. Things changed drastically that night as Terrigen gas blanketed over Jersey City. Kamala was wrapped into a cocoon of the gas and during her brief moment in there, she had a vision. In it, Captain America, Iron Man, and Captain Marvel questioned what she wanted in life. Her response? She wanted to be more like Captain Marvel.

When she awoke from her vision she realized that she had quite literally taken on the form of a younger Carol Danvers. She didn’t just look like her either. The Terrigen gas awakened powers within her as well. Kamala had the ability to polymorph her body into anything. That night she saved the lives of the students who had driven her away from the party after they fell into the river. She was thankful she choose to save them regardless of how they treated her. This act birthed her superhero career and her new name Ms. Marvel.

RELATED: D23 2019: Kamala Khan Headed to Disney+ with Ms Marvel Series

In the months to come, Kamala would learn to control her newfound power plus the power to heal herself by shifting back to her normal form. But of course, like any teenage superhero, she had challenges in both parts of her life. She faced several different villains but none hurt more than Kamran. She thought he was a friend, someone she could confide in as both had reactions to the Terrigen gas and she had some pretty strong feelings toward him.

But in the end, he was actually working alongside the enemy organization Lineage and attempted to force her to join their cause after kidnapping her. Kamala was able to escape with the help of Bruno but the event took a toll on her for weeks after. Soon after the events of Incursion (when different dimensions collapse onto one another) took place. Kamala spent this time protecting Jersey City and facing off once again against Kamran, but this time with the help of Captain Marvel.

After the Multiverse was restored Kamala went on to join the Avengers working alongside Nova and the new Spiderman. Working with other heroes, her team went on to complete several missions including the Second Superhero Civil War while she still attempted to keep up with her life at home.

The Real Deal

Kamala Khan

Kamala Khan is the real deal. Most notably Kamala is Marvel’s first Muslim female superhero. In her childhood and even into her teenage years she was ostracized for her beliefs and her personal taste in hobbies. Even after all of that when she found herself with her new powers, she still chose to use them to protect the people of Jersey City. When she joined the Avengers team she worked hard to live up to her Captain Marvel’s name.

Kamala’s journey is also one of self-discovery and finding confidence in herself. Her ability lets her morph into anything she wants making it easy to remake herself into whatever she wants. Instead, she learns to love herself. Love her flaws as much as she loves her power. This is a lesson that everyone of any age can learn from.

RELATED: Looking for another strong female crush? Check out our Geek Girl Authority Crushes of the Week here!

Why She Matters

Kamala Khan matters because contributed to the diversity of the Marvel community. As a Pakistani-American, she gives Muslim girls a true role model to look up to who looks like them. She strives to find a balance between her superhero duties and her responsibilities at home. She proves that even those who are young can understand the responsibility of the power they wield. Her story is one of self-discovery and finding self-confidence in yourself.

So be like Kamala Khan. Embrace your beliefs and use your gifts to fight for what you truly believe in.Love yourself and find your inner self-confidence.

 

 

Julia Roth
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