Tag Captain Black’s Commentary

I promote the “superhero” solution to persistent problems like crime, hunger and hopelessness.
Please purge capes and cowls from fiction out of your minds. That’s not necessarily what I’m talking about.
By “superhero” I also don’t exclusively mean the real life superhero ( RLSH ) Movement’s activists and crime fighters. This term easily incorporates epic figures like Paul Robeson, Teddy Roosevelt and others from history.
Recent additions include Welsey Autrey, New York’s Subway Hero; Duane ” Action ” Jackson and Lance Orton, the vigilant vendors who foiled this years Time Square bombing attempt.
People famous and anonymous can impact others in phenomenal ways. The “superhero” solution advocates phenomenal impact as a way of life. A public that exercises such imagination is a safer, more compassionate one.
The more lives you touch positively the more likely you are to continue in this vein. This solution becomes ingrained behavior and eventually accepted cultural practice.
We’ve accepted virtual reality on the internet. It’s high time everyday reality was seen as susceptible to good intention and consistency. Especially with an oppressive economy and spreading despair we have to increasingly use the “superhero” solution or risk becoming overwhelmed. Benevolence and effort are what drive this solution by creating good where there may have been none.
It starts with understanding you’re bigger than apathy or problems before you. inspiration can be found in fact and fiction. Religious texts also serve this purpose. Whatever the source, understanding you’re superior to negatives around you is step one.
The next step is acting on this realization on a regular basis. The “superhero” solution isn’t a one-time quick fix. It’s a lifelong approach limited by imagination and effort.
We can imagine ourselves weak and powerless. We can also imagine ourselves strong and powerful. Too many entomb themselves in limited thoughts and misery. Our goal is to take the special few not doing so and turn them into the majority in society.
That’s the essence of the “superhero” solution.
Sources of “superhero” inspiration are: major network; talk show and publication home pages ( CNN and Parade Magazine come to mind ) and organization websites including: the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and the Carnegie Hero Commission.
This is not an exhaustive list and can stretch to infinity. Just like our ability to use the “superhero” solution.
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development.
 

Anyone who’s read my articles or knows me is aware of my love for real life superhero ( RLSH ) philosophy.
One day I see it being an authentic academic field. If we do our job well hopefully it won’t be beneath heading, Abnormal Psychology ( lol ).
I enjoy work examining what we do. Beneath the fancy names is alot of deeply intellectual, even spiritual subject matter.
One of the best articulators I’ve encountered is a gentle giant named Silver Sentinel.
Ironically he keeps a low profile but the depth of his insight is attention getting. We’re part of the RLSH who are usually plain clothed while on patrol. He does have a Silver Sentinel outfit for special occasions while I possess a few theme t-shirts. The outfit hasn’t been a big priority and I enjoy seeing what fellow members wear!
Silver Sentinels’ two main contributions to the literature are spot on analysis of parameters we should operate within and purity of purpose that even earns kudos from real live super villains ( RLSVs )-our biggest critics and unlikely supporters.
A varied background as thinker; security professional and spiritual person informs his writing. It offers a balanced vision of how to practically pursue this dream without crossing the line into vigilantism or egotism.
Silver Sentinel has quietly emerged as an important voice for a Movement quietly stretching the boundaries of creative concerned citizenship.
There’s so much more to this than merely eccentric exteriors. There’s a world of internal treasure awaiting patient exploration.
Silver Sentinel’s writing offers as good a road map for navigating the real life superhero ( RLSH ) world as one can find.
Do yourself a favor, read his blog and postings on http://www.reallifesuperheroes.org. He really is a RLSH philosopher king in his own right.
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development. http://www.captblack.info.

You know you’re living right when young people ask you for career advice. In a days time two aspiring members of the real life superhero ( RLSH ) movement approached me- the first on line ; the second by phone.
This is an unexpected bonus to living my dream come true: advising others how to do the same… in their own way. Last year saw me regularly e-mail; chat and talk with fellow RLSH.
I’ve communicated with some of the big names in the Movement. I’ve done the same with not-so big names and people from related groups. As of this writing I haven’t personally met any RLSH but look forward to that footnote in my history. While most of us are solo acts, communication assures success as individuals and as a subculture. I know only too well the highs and lows of visionary living. Toss in this unconventional take on concerned citizenship and there’s a definite need for dialog.
This Movement is too precious to hoard to ourselves. Having experienced its scope I know the temptation to be latter day Lone Rangers. Alot of us are the only RLSH within respective city limits. My hope is we’ll reach out not only to each other always to more conventional concerned citizens. Whether you’re a cyber crusader or actually get out publicly, building rapport helps get the job done. Our impact grows with the amount of relationships created. We’re a broad coalition of very creative ( sometimes cantankerous ) folks who use fiction to leverage fantastic results from ourselves and everyone we meet.
Any real life superhero checklist would be woefully incomplete if it doesn’t include communication as an absolute necessity.
Communication is a super power unto itself, comforting fellow RLSH and inspiring fellow citizens to become champions in their own right!
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development. [email protected]  ( Pay Pal account ); (912) 272-2898 and http://www.captblack.reallifesuperheroes.org
 

Long before I thought real life superheroes ( RLSH ) could actually exist I contented myself in the exploits of exceptional people without fancy names or outfits.
My list of real life superheroes is always growing and accommodates diverse folks like Alexander Dumas; Toussaint L’Ouverture; Booker T. Washington; Frederick Douglas; Theodore ” Teddy ” Roosevelt; Douglas McArthur; the Tuskegee Airmen; George Patton; Harry Truman; Paul Robeson; Hosea Williams; Joseph Lowery; Medgar Evers; Noble Drew Ali; the Honorable Elijah Muhammad; Malcolm X; Muhammad Ali; John F. Kennedy; Robert Kennedy; Benjamin Hooks; Colin Powell; Clarence Thomas; Earl Winthorp De veaux ( maternal grandfather ); Gloria Evelyn Wilson DeVeaux ( maternal grandmother ); W.W. Law; Sam Jones; Adeeb Shabazz and others. They may not have the same politics but they inspire me nonetheless. Inspiration comes from many directions and I’m always on the lookout for it. The real world can drain the heart of wonder. It can be a depressing place made even more so by todays headlines. That’s where studying great lives famous and not-so-famous helps self-motivation keep going.
Wesley Autrey is one not-so-famous real life superhero who leapt onto a New York subway and shielded someone who’d fallen onto the tracks with his own body! As heroic as when service members throw themselves on enemy grenades to save their comrades-in-arms, I always reflect upon Autrey’s astonishing courage.
Google his name and give your spirits a much needed treat: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesley_Autrey
Someone like him and everyone mentioned boldly says just how great we can be. Wesley Autrey and the others remind the world real life superheroes aren’t always costumed!
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development. (912) 272-2898; [email protected]  ( Pay Pal address ) and
http://reallifesuperheroes.org/archives/3187
 

One phase of my stealth ” real life superhero ( RLSH ) ” activities before the Movement was keeping tabs on suspects and/or declared fugitives. Information gathered was forwarded to the appropriate agency. As a dutiful bounty hunter earning rewards drove this alongside civic duty. I’m not opposed to catching criminals for pay; law enforcement does it every day. Opponents of bounty hunting should be able to magically make policing pro bono and watch officers surge to resign!
RLSH normally don’t fight crime for profit. Many feel it’s anathema to the Movement’s overall altruism. Others reply any monies accepted should be used to fund homeless outreach or equipment needs. Real life superheroes, overtly or covertly, have access to information police would find interesting. As a RLSH whose background includes bounty hunting and security consulting I’ve made a living from what we usually do for free. Reconciling the two is easy, because I genuinely enjoy contributing to public safety. The bulk of my efforts, stealth and openly RLSH, is freely given.
Deciding whether crime fighting should become a revenue stream is a personal choice. I fight crime for a purpose: to help people help themselves become safer and alternately, persuading criminals to become their higher selves. Self-development is an even more effective crime fighting strategy than patrolling and even RLSH-inspired community coalitions ( RICCs ). The worst crime in my ” Crime ISN’T A Civil Right! ” conversations and presentation is working against being your better self. That’s what drives my activities past, present and future.
Money’s nice, but the above reasons are reward enough for me and real life superheroes generally. We fight crime for a higher purpose not merely for profit!
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development. (912) 272-2898 and
http://reallifesuperheroes.org/archives/3187
 

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

Staying Motivated As A RLSH
By: Nadra Enzi aka Capt. Black
“You can’t save the world! ” Heard this before? How about thinking it on your own? Concerned citizenship risks emotional wear and tear. Especially our brand. Problems outnumber problem solvers so fatigue often sets in. Especially when feeling alone in your concerns. Most folks hunker down trying to change nothing more than their socks in the morning. World change is out of reach. Crusading isn’t popular like apathy. Apathy is easier and neatly fits  busy schedules.
RLSH retirement levels may match dropout rates in neighborhood watch; citizens patrol and related groups. Life intrudes upon motivation variously: income problems; relationship issues; health challenges, etc. Time outs recharge initiative. Constant performance without rest undermines even peak performers. Beginning this lifestyle is addictive. Constant RLSH activity assures more of the same. Expressing your best self is intoxicating. Without balance, inevitable exhaustion happens. Toss in balancing double lives for those with secret identities and motivation suffers. Burn out is an occupational hazard, especially considering how few try changing conditions.
Motivation for extraordinary lifestyles is highly individualized. One size fits all solutions miss particular personalities. Find out what keeps you and you alone upbeat. List de-motivators to avoid like the plague. Associate with like minded people. Have an active spiritual or ethical practice to stay tuned in to higher consciousness.
Most importantly, recognize you can’t change the world. No matter how many suspects are caught or meals given, crime and hunger continue. Expanding your sphere of influence gradually changes the world around you. As it grows, so does your impact. Being overly ambitious is draining. Or worse, creates bitterness. Better to return to this lifestyle after recharging.  Nervous breakdowns accomplish nothing.
Take time out for yourself; strategically leave the lifestyle to recharge; associate with the like minded; these and other tips keep RLSH and other concerned citizens focused. I learned these tricks as a full time writer/speaker/activist. Even Dr. King took vacations. Corporate C.E.O.s have retreats. We should do no less.
It isn’t quitting. It’s not weakness. Knowing when to cut back is strength. Understanding how to stay motivated helps you to motivate others.
The views and comments of Captain Black do not reflect on the views of the RLSH community.
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development. http://www.captblack.info and http://www.blogtalkradio.com/nadraenzi.