RLSH and Race

I believe in the real life superhero ( RLSH ) Movement. It’s the most progressive community I know.
I also believe our soaring ideals can’t magically outdistance long standing prejudices in society. That said, we’ve done a great job with inclusion, better than mainstream institutions.
Can costumes and a larger-than-life approach cure discrimination? Time will tell.
Unlike elsewhere, I’ve yet to encounter a fire breathing racist who openly hates Black people ( among others ) and wishes I’d take my non-existent cape back to my side of the tracks. Since I’m not psychic I can’t say whether this bias exists among other members. It wouldn’t surprise me if there were a handful, since crime fighting in Western countries often has racial connotations.
We’re a very idealistic group but at days end we still reside in the real world and racism is part of that reality. Add homophobia, anti-Semetism and other evils to the list.
I’ve met actual supervillains who richly deserved to wear the ” Captain Nazi ” uniform of the DC character by the same name. Growing up in Georgia afforded numerous opportunities to encounter ” respectable ” racists; low budget klan types and folks blissfully unaware their provincial worldview would be labeled Apartheid by modern standards.
Fortunately I don’t presume all White people sink this low but am aware how hard wired this mindset is throughout their community. To its credit, real life superheroes are a lifestyle anyone can adopt because it’s based on behaviors ( code names; costumes; conduct ) that transcend color; language; religion, etc.
There are a few Black RLSH who’ve made it to media attention: Direction Man; Liberator X; Lord Chain; Spark of the Capital City Super Squad; California’s Danger Man and myself. I know there are others and hope they soon make themselves known. Some may wonder if Black folks even do this type of activism given our relative scarcity in RLSH ranks?
Colorful names aren’t a problem for our community. Entertainers and regular folks have nick names, along with many possessing an e-mail address.
Colorful outfits aren’t a stretch for a group known as trendsetters in fashion.
Combining these two cultural items to adopt alter egoes who fight crime and/or do good deeds seems a bit much for most Black folks. Truthfully, it’s a stretch for people in any ethnic group to go the RLSH route.
As a Black RLSH I had far more than my fair share of hate ( literal and cyber ); media exclusion for championed causes and other slights that come with the territory.
Thankfully this hasn’t been the case with 99% of RLSH sites and individuals thus far encountered.
While promoting a life fantastic I’m firmly rooted in the realities of American life, some of which ( like racism ) aren’t much to wave a flag over.
RLSH and race may never be an issue if we’re as true to our ideals as most clearly appear.
However, if some are true to baser aspects of life this issue will raise its pointy head here as it has elsewhere.
Then we’ll see how” heroic ” real life superheroes are. I’m willing to bet on the Movement because of the open mindedness and decency I see so much of here.
I can’t say that about other groups I know.
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK is a super rights activist promoting wellness; crime prevention and self-development. http://www.captblack.info