Heroes Out The Ears

People like superheroes. Power, mystery, awesome outfits - it's intoxicating. I swear it's part of why Roller Derby takes off so well, seeing as each competitor has a derby moniker and dudes up her uniform a little. And seriously, how many super hero movies have you seen? Or at least heard of? It's a big deal. In "these tough economic times", it feels hopeful to have mysterious do-gooders out there, watching out for us and our safety.

Then I read this article on CNN, and I had to ask myself, seriously? Regular old people are just slapping costumes on and hitting the streets? I'm not certain if I'm disgusted or if I want to join. The cover picture is of a guy who takes care of Rochester, MN - how many caped crusaders are wandering the streets of my city? After all, I don't live in the best of neighborhoods. Maybe a vigilante alter ego has been watching our house, foiling repeated break-in attempts. Do I owe these mystery men and women a token thanks? Do I leave cookies on my front step or something? Or is it just another thing I have to watch out for after dusk?

Maybe we need to ease up on the superhero culture; as I think about it, we need to step back from hero culture in general. People toss around the word "hero" so much, like it's not enough for a normal person to do good things. No, doing your job well must make you a different category of person - you have to be a hero. Everyone wants to be a hero. And while we're at it, let's make hardcore costumes and hit the mean streets, trying extra-hard to be extra-hero-tastic. Why can't we just do well, be good, and love others? Do you need a costume and a pseudonym to help the homeless?

But I suspect if they called me up and asked me to join their underground society, gave me some cool secret identity, and put me out to soften up the mean streets... well, maybe I'd give it a shot. Heroes are pretty glamorous, after all.