(ThyBlackMan.com) The real life superhero ( RLSH ) movement combines human rights; philanthropy and crime prevention into a creative dynamic modeled after fictional superheroes. Our shared culture draws diverse individuals united in unconventional commitment to the common good. We’re an offbeat branch of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Beloved Community. His April assassination date is a good time to examine these commonalities. As members of what media calls the real life superhero movement, color and politics take distant second place ( if any ) to this shared culture.
As a Southerner this is as close to being judged by the content of my character as I’ve experienced. The movement welcomes you for who you are and what you offer- period. Don’t let colorful names and outfits blind 
you to a truly egalitarian community. Our most secret identity is each of us is an idealist. We’re purists who plainly state there’s no shame in doing good. It’s not larceny to offer a protective presence or extend helping hands. While obviously not a religion our movement has clearly ethical imperatives. Compelled to creatively serve society, we stand along side more conventional helping professions. Since 9/11 our story has worked itself into American and world consciousness. More fellow citizens know about us each passing year. Well visited movement websites bring this story to new onlookers every minute.
you to a truly egalitarian community. Our most secret identity is each of us is an idealist. We’re purists who plainly state there’s no shame in doing good. It’s not larceny to offer a protective presence or extend helping hands. While obviously not a religion our movement has clearly ethical imperatives. Compelled to creatively serve society, we stand along side more conventional helping professions. Since 9/11 our story has worked itself into American and world consciousness. More fellow citizens know about us each passing year. Well visited movement websites bring this story to new onlookers every minute.I see parallels between us and the civil rights movement. Both united colors and creeds in creative service against social problems. Each demands a certain amount of courage. Freedom Riders and marchers faced certain death in many cases. Real life superheroes risk at least embarrassment. The other extreme of possible peril includes threats of death from angry criminals. Unlike Batman, they may not flee in terror upon seeing us.This eventuality is real for crime fighters in our ranks. Having fought crime I know what basic steps to take. Even experience doesn’t promise total safety. At bottom crime fighting means sticking your nose into situations where others feel it doesn’t belong. Anything can happen from that point forward. The same holds true for challenging JIm Crow in the 1960s.
Higher motivation and menace are two common features RLSH share with civil rights activists. Both groups show society the lengths a few determined people are willing to go. America and the world needs fewer armchair quarterbacks. These movements offer concrete examples of individuals who make things happen instead of making excuses.
The real life superhero movement is truly an offbeat branch of Dr. King’s Beloved Community. We continue his work in our own creative way. We breathe new life into the veins of civic duty. Hopefully we will inspire others to do the same just as we were inspired by Dr. King.
Just some food for thought as the anniversary of his assassination comes in April.
Written By Nadra Enzi
Official Websites;
http://www.captblack.info
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/nadraenzi
