Even though it's regarded as one of his greatest speeches, there's an unfortunate alternate meaning to Captain America's speech to Spider-Man as one of Steve Rogers' best moments.

Civil War was a dark period for the Marvel Universe as friend turned against friend and the hero community endured a schism over the Superhero Registration Act. Leading the charge against the act was Captain America, who spelled out his feelings in a rousing speech. But there's a dark side to that speech that the star-spangled hero might not have considered.

Captain America Inspired Everyone With His "No, You Move" Speech

One Must Stand Up for What's Right, Even Against the Entire World

In The Amazing Spider-Man #537 by J. Michael Straczynski, Ron Garney, Bill Reinhold, Matt Milla, and Cory Petit, the wall-crawler is hiding out after publicly turning against Iron Man and exposing Iron Man’s prison in the Negative Zone to the world. He’s lying low in a motel while the pro and anti-Superhero Registration Act sides look for him. Captain America sends the Human Torch to light up the sky so that Peter can find them, leading Spider-Man to meet up with Captain America.

On top of a building, Peter and Steve catch up and Captain America compliments Spider-Man, saying what Peter did was foolish, but incredibly brave. However, Captain America reminds his comrade that the media is ignoring what Spider-Man said about the prison and is now framing him as a traitor to the United States. Spider-Man asks how Captain America deals with the entire country turning against him, leading Steve to tell a story about his childhood to Peter.

...when one believes they’re in the right, they must fight for it, even if it means going up against the entire world.

Captain America reveals he learned about what it means to be an American from Mark Twain’s writing and begins reciting a age about patriotism. Steve tells the younger hero that everyone must decide for themselves what is good and right and fight for their ideals. Once he’s done quoting Twain, Captain America simplifies things for Spider-Man, saying that their nation was founded on the idea of standing up for the right thing and when one believes they’re in the right, they must fight for it, even if it means going up against the entire world.

Captain America's Speech Can Easily Be Misconstrued

Rogers' Words Could Easily Inspire the Wrong People

It’s an inspiring speech, and it has stood the test of time. It’s so iconic it was even included in Captain America: Civil War (albeit delivered by Sharon Carter and originally attributed to Peggy Carter). But no matter who delivers it, it’s a valiant principle, to stand for what one believes to be right, even in the face of criticism by those who hold the opposite opinion. However, while these words are indeed noble, they could easily be taken the wrong way by people who hold values Captain America would never agree to.

...imagine for a second that it’s not Captain America saying this speech, but Doctor Doom.

While Civil War was intended to paint both sides as gray rather than right or wrong, the truth is, Iron Man went off the deep end when he started imprisoning people, including his friends, without due process. So when Captain America makes his speech to Spider-Man, their side is more in the right and Steve’s words carry a lot more weight. The problem is that, in a vacuum, the speech becomes wildly problematic if someone holds a more questionable or even immoral value.

Just imagine for a second that it’s not Captain America saying this speech, but Doctor Doom. It’s a lot more frightening hearing words encouraging people to dig into their beliefs, especially if the whole world thinks the opposite, when those principles are inherently bad. Granted, Captain America is practically a saint in the Marvel Universe. But it’s not hard to imagine how someone could easily hear Rogers’ rhetoric and think it applies to their own situation, even if they harbor thoughts and feelings counter to what Captain America intended.

Captain America's Speech is Good, But Fans Must His Intent

Rogers' Speech Wasn't Intended for Everyone

The core of what Captain America said is still a good message. For those willing to fight for good and true principles that make everyone’s lives better, that is indeed worth standing up, even if challenged by those that believe otherwise. Yes, sometimes words and quotes can be manipulated or used by those who miss the deeper meaning of what someone is trying to say. But while some could use Captain America’s greatest quote to fit their own worldview, it doesn’t make Steve’s speech any less true.