Goodbye to superheroes

 There are times in our lives that we need to get away, physically and mentally, sometimes emotionally, from the stress of everyday life. We use many means to do this, two of my favorites are books and movies. To delve into another world allows me to take a breather and reset. Some people do that to excess and it can be detrimental, not only to themselves but to others. 

I do not begrudge anyone their escape, and realize that different people have different tastes, and may be in a different phase in their lives. I have gone through phase changes in life and left a lot of things behind as well as adopted different attitudes. One of the most recent was on superheroes in general, and one in particular. Captain America.

Captain America is sort of a quasi -superhero. Yes, he got injected with a serum that vastly increased his strength and confidence, plus adding a very powerful weapon to his arsenal (his shield), but he wasn't in Superman or Hulk category. I read comics as a kid and enjoyed superhero movies. But something dawned on me when I watched his origin movie. I was troubled by it.

My ancestral history has something to do with it. My great-grandfather (mom's side) fought with the Union Army in the Civil War, including service with the Vermont 14th Brigade at Gettysburg, on Cemetery Ridge resisting the last Confederate charge. My grandfather (father's side) served with the AEF (American Expeditionary Force) in Europe during WWI. And my uncle (mom's brother) died preparing pilots to fly in WWII. So I am very conscious of the service and sacrifices that millions of Americans and other nations made to defend freedom - ours and others. 

With that in mind the notion that the Captain America film portrayed of a hero coming in to save the day and repulse our enemies seemed ludicrous and even slightly offensive. We didn't have a superhero and yet we won the day, repulsed and defeated the enemy. There were ordinary people who stepped up and did the hard, dangerous, death defying job - many who could have easily avoided it. They were the heroes.

I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, nor cast aspersions on what someone may enjoy. But for me, I am done with superheroes. No need for waiting for the few fantastical creatures to save the day. it is for us ordinary folks to be willing to step up, be willing to roll up our sleeves and work. To stand for what is right, to defend the vulnerable, to oppose the wrong and those who do wrong. To speak for the speechless and encourage the disheartened. And it is for us to celebrate the real heroes who, though ordinary did extraordinary deeds.