The Value of Inspiration-Only RLSH

by Webmaster April 19, 2010

There are at least two broad categories of real life superhero ( RLSH ) members: those who are exclusively inspiration-only outreach ( food give aways; school visits; comic book convention attendance, etc. ) and others who are actively intervention-only, i.e. patrolling the streets; monitoring suspects, confronting assailants etc. Tension has arisen between each faction and is regrettable. Whether one is providing inspiration or intervention, both acts help significantly change lives encountered.
The difference goes deeper than mere preference. Some RLSH feel it’s inappropriate to seek crimes in progress. They adamantly refuse to confront criminal suspects. Their logic is it can create more problems than the immediate one attempting to be solved. Creatively promoting good citizenship and particularly inspiring young people is their top priority. Anything outside those parameters is usually considered not their role. Hopefully all RLSH can agree that interspiration-only; intervention-only or doing both is up to the individual involved. There isn’t a pecking order where some RLSH are more ” real ” in their real life super heroism than others. Individuality is a Movement strength and allows creative public service limited only by the imagination. It would be tragic if this best practice changed.
Inspiration-only RLSH are good will ambassadors who interact with the needy; parents and children. They motivate society’s most vulnerable by providing memorable moments during hard times. They boost morale for terminally ill children and families who desperately need a dose of wonder. Promoting joy and lifting people’s spirits is an invaluable public service. Inspiration drives folks to escape the ordinary. Inspiration compels people to leave the sidelines and leap into inspirational action.
What’s the value of inspiration-only real life superheroes? It’s measured by every child’s smile; weighed by weary parent’s relief that costumed strangers care about his struggle and counted by each mind influenced to do some good because of their inspiring example.
The value of inspiration-only RLSH is infinite because they positively touch so many lives. They’re not better than those who practice intervention. They just deserve much needed just due.
-NOTE: Inspiration-only real life superhero groups include:
The Skiffytown League of Heroes:
http://www.skiffytownheroes.org
http://www.myspace.com/skiffytown
The Floridian League of Adventurers and Superheroes:
http://www.myspace.com/flashteam
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development. (912) 272-2898
http://reallifesuperheroes.org/archives/3187

9 comments

Richard April 27, 2010 at 8:34 am

Are you kidding me???
How can you claim to be a superhero if crime prevention isn’t a main concern? You aren’t super for performing helpful municipal deeds, you are just an eccentrically dressed, charitable person.
I cannot believe that anyone seeking to be a hero would find it a good philosophy to not break up criminal activity.
Find me concrete evidence, a statistic done on a community with an “inspiration only” superhero, that shows this is really doing more than shoveling driveways and removing clamps on vehicles. All it seems to be inspiring is either eye rolls and raised eyebrows from media coverage, or more dressed up wannabes.
I just cannot see how any “hero” could call themselves such and then choose to “adamantly refuse to confront criminal suspects.”
I know comic book superheroes aren’t reality, but they are the roots of this movement. They ARE our Western mythology, and frankly, I think they’d be a little disappointed.

NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK April 27, 2010 at 8:49 am

Richard:
Thanks for your spirited response! Inspirational RLSH have a role in the Movement just like those like myself who,ve broken up street fights and done bounty hunting. Inspiration goes a long way, just like intervention. I’d rather have a broad united front with these two segments working together than a pair of hostile camps wasting opportunities.
I’ve wrestled with fugitives and I’ve seen the joy on school childrens faces when I’ve recited some of my poetry to them.Much as I LOVED catching bail jumpers, the look of wonder in a childs eyes is even greater satisfaction. That’s why I wrote this tribute to inspiration-only RLSH. Thank you again and remember, you don’t need a fancy name or outfit to become your version of a real life superhero.

Dragonheart April 28, 2010 at 2:22 pm

As a member of this group I disagree with your assessment Richard. Yes, it is very comic-like to go head to head with the criminal element and try to take them down but that is not the only way to combat crime. Inspiring young kids to turn away from the negative elements that eventually turn them in the wrong direction and make them a cancer to society instead of a benediction is also an effective way of combating crime. We are not turning away from breaking up criminal activity. We are trying to inspire young kids and people in general to walk a different path such as promoting civic duty, emphasizing education, and showing those people with illnesses or handicaps that they are not defined by the hardships that life puts before them but rather by the right choices that will forge them into a better person. We attack crime from a different angle, by trying to stomp on it’s seed before it grows in the hearts of young children or those who often become disillusioned.
If you still do not understand or agree with our approach then I leave you to your opinion. Luckily we live in a country where you are entitled to one with little fear of reciprocity. Regardless of your negative comment towards us I appreciate that you took the time to make your opinions known.

Richard May 5, 2010 at 8:24 am

Yes, I understand the benefit of what you are trying to do, and recognize it ACTUALLY may be helpful, to a degree, but the angle in which you describe that you “fight crime” makes you anything but a Superhero.
You are just a masked activist, or as I said before, an eccentrically dressed favor-doer.
Thank you, Dragonheart, for your civility, but you guys honestly are trying to mold the definition of superhero to fit your cause.
When you guys start killing child molesters and terrorists, something actually “super” for an everyday citizen, only then will it really appear to not just myself, but to the public as well, that you have earned your title.

Dragonheart May 5, 2010 at 6:24 pm

You don’t have to take lives in order to prove you’re a hero and since when do everyday citizens run around killing child molesters and terrorists? For you to imply that the only way to
earn the hero title is to kill someone, even someone who may deserve it is rather absurd. I don’t worry about the negative opinions of people towards me. I don’t worry whether I am showered with praise and put in the spotlight or if history barely remembers me with nothing more than a fleeting footnote in the book of time. My goal is to help people. The title you or anyone else gives me does not change my mission and that of like-minded people who I work with in this regard.

John Doe June 18, 2010 at 8:07 pm

Have any of you guys ran into any trouble with the law? How far does citizens arrests go into being vigilanteism? Also have any of you ever considered a super hero team up where you could take down criminals for real instead of pretending like I know a lot of you do. Watch for some events on the news in the future. My group is going to change the face of RLSH as we know it.

John Doe's Mother June 18, 2010 at 8:11 pm

I apologize for John. He gets cranky when he hasn’t had a nap.

Cartoon Princess December 19, 2010 at 6:05 pm

My heroes have always been those who ‘make a hawk a dove, stop a war with love’ or ‘change their minds and change the world.” There’s other ways to combat social ills than to punch street criminals in the puss, and implying that is the only valid path is shortsighted and an unfortunate view. And, you know…… kiiiiiinda immature.

Hero Boy November 11, 2012 at 6:26 am

What I See as a Superhero: Someone who goes out of their way to help those in need and protect the innocent. Someone that not only does charity and outreach, and inspiration-geared activities as well as neighborhood safety patrols, and lets others know that if they need help, they can call on him or her. Someone tha when is confronted with violence can control and manage a situation without resorting to violence or hurting anyone, but still protecting themself and any potential third parties until the Police arrive. Someone who strives towards embodying virtue and good character, and works towards the bettering of himself/herself as well as for the bettering of mankind. Somone who refuses to not leave this world looking better than when they found it, and stand testimony to this commitment on a consistent and regular basis and does not bow, does not compromise, ad does not accept defeat, and would rather die in the quest of saving the world than live in a world so full of chaos, violence, and destruction, and does this not only in costume but as his civilian identity as well, a rolemodel, an example. And expects NOTHING in return.
To me, that is a superhero, and nothing less.
As of now I don’t believe any of us truly live up to the term, which is why we should do everything we can to truly bring the superhero to life and reality.
Stay true. Stay free. Stay safe.
–Hero Boy