Marvel Comics changed the name of Captain America's sidekick after a writer pointed out the racist meaning behind naming a Black character "Bucky." When John Walker became the new Captain America, he was paired with Lemar Hoskins, an ally who had fought alongside him as part of the BUCkies. However, after acclaimed writer Dwayne McDuffie pointed out the harmful nature of naming a Black hero "Bucky," Marvel changed Hoskin's name to Battlestar.
John Walker is one of Marvel's most infamous antiheroes, as the former Captain America originally debuted as the Super-Patriot. As part of the task force, he attempted to smear the original Cap's public image, using the Bold Urban Commandos (BUCkies) to make the longtime hero an enemy in the eyes of the public. After Steve Rogers resigned his position as Captain America, John Walker was appointed by the government to wield the shield as the new patriotic hero. In doing so, he named one of his former BUCkies, Lemar Hoskins, his sidekick. However, Hoskin's superhero moniker wasn't appropriate and would later be confronted head-on in the series.
In CBR.com's excellent Comic Book Legends Revealed series by Brian Cronin, he confirmed that Lemar Hoskin's "Bucky" was changed after McDuffie told series writer Mark Gruenwald that the nickname was a racist term. Former Marvel Editor Gregory Wright revealed McDuffie (despite fears bringing up the issue could end his career) told Gruenwald about how "Buck' was a racist term with roots tied to slavery (and beyond) in the United States. Thankfully, Gruenwald listened and decided to fix the issue in Captain America #341.
In the issue, Hoskin debuts a new costume and superhero name, Battlestar. He reveals to John Walker that while at the vault, one of the guards told him how much he appreciated seeing a black superhero but was confused with the name "Bucky." When Hoskins tells him it's after Bucky Barnes, the man points out it's not fitting a Black man is named after a "young white kid" who died more than 40 years ago - especially since Hoskin's was Cap's equal. He further points out "Buck" is an offensive term for Black men and since there weren't many superheroes of color, he needed something that everyone could be proud of. Hoskins tells Captain America he agreed and decided to adopt the name Battlestar.
In the end, Marvel Comics made the right decision by changing Hoskins from "Bucky" to Battlestar. McDuffie was a comic book legend who fought hard for equality and representation in comics - and his role in making the name change happen can't be overstated. Captain America and Battlestar would star together in many comic adventures before Steve Rogers returned to the shield.
Source: Brian Cronin/CBR.com
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