But these thoughts and feelings have been building up for years. And as well as through observations, experience, interactions, studying, theories, all put together, this is what I've come up with, at least as of now.
I don't think a lot of people will like what I have to say. But I also know that a lot of people will like what I have to say. Either way, neither changes my thoughts and feelings on this. And I feel that this is very important for the sake of preserving something that is important to me. And that is the Superhero Community consisting of actual Superheroes, instead of Costumed Charity Movement people.
Superheroes DO NOT wear "costumes". Costumes are for trick or treaters, and actors. They are something people wear when they are pretending to be something they're not. In our self-chosen identities (unless we were given our own individual aliases, nonetheless we have a choice to use them) we ARE these people. We're not pretending. We're not doing this for fun. We're doing it because it is who we see ourselves as or at least a part of who we are, and we're doing what has to be done. And our uniforms and suits aren't worn for image. Self-expression, yes. But functionality is more important. Using the C-word to refer to what a Superhero wears is actually an insult.
And it's not up to me or anyone but the individual to decide what their uniform means. But there is something I notice that there's a well-believed false theory that doesn't work in practice. There's a belief that some individuals tell themselves, that wearing their uniforms will help draw attention to a cause. But in reality it doesn't. It draws much more attention to the individual. There's also a misconception that bragging about good deeds will inspire more people to do it. Nope. Just makes you look self-righteous. Let those that are helped brag about those who did good, but let not the individual brag of their own deeds.
In the Holy Bible, In Matthew 6:1 it says:
"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven."
If God sees you bragging about that, to Him, He sees that as you rewarding yourself through bragging, therefore need no help from Him.
If God sees you bragging about that, to Him, He sees that as you rewarding yourself through bragging, therefore need no help from Him.
Plus, in the minds of others, if you need to dress up like a superhero in order to do some form of charity, then people are going to think "Well, that's cool. I would like to do some charity. But I don't want to go through the trouble of creating a superhero identity just to do it. So, I guess I won't be doing any charity then." I believe that it's better for everyone to know that they could at least do a little something. Even if it's just the smallest little deed. If everyone did a little good deed regularly, it would all add up to make the world a better place. Even more than a few CCM people doing it once a week or month.
Don't overglorify simple deeds as great acts of heroism. It's not a quick easy way of showing the world that superheroes exist. It's showing the world that superheroes CAN'T exist. It's not what you wear nor call yourself that shows the world superheroes exist. It's something magical that goes beyond what simple words can explain. It's easier for one to show you what a superhero is, than for me to explain what one is. But if I were to try to explain it. There are 2 aspects of it. One aspect has to do with saving lives, the other has to do with fighting evil.
"But Tothian, I thought being a superhero was about helping people."
Every job in the world "helps" people in some way. That doesn't make everyone a superhero. Because if everyone was a superhero, then nobody would be. Because then superpowers wouldn't be superpowers, they'd be like a form of evolution. And heroism wouldn't be heroism anymore, it would be common decency. Idealistic, yes. But as a world we're not there yet so we shouldn't pretend like we are.
"But Tothian, feeding a homeless person is saving someone's life for a day."
You got that right! And I give credit to anyone who does help someone in need. I don't want this to give the impression that I'm against people helping people in need. But why use the image of a Superhero to do something that Superheroes were never known for doing? And for a reason. Help people yes. There are plenty of people in the world who need help. But don't give the impression that common decency should be considered a superpower, nor a great act of heroism. I don't care how messed up you think society is. It's just not right.
The uniform or suit or what ever it is you wear tells people that you in some way are qualified to do what you do. That doesn't necessarily mean some kind of unrealistic superpower, (realistic superpowers are possible), but at least some kind of skill, ability, training, experience that helps you in some way. Like for example, someone with Lifeguard Training, or First Aid Training, Martial Arts, and/or knowledgeable in some skill area.
Contrary to the perception it's possible some readers of this will have at this point, I don't intend to tell you how to do things if you wish to do things a certain way. But I feel that my thoughts are something that is very necessary to give. Not a matter of what I say Do or Don't Do. But rather a matter of "How I see it To Be and how I see it To Not Be". Do it the way you feel is right.
But one thing that saddens me is people coming in, expecting to fight crime, then figure out a way to do it that seems easier, and appears to help more people, and makes them more friends in the Real Life Superhero Community, so some of them just end up sticking to charity instead. They let others change who they are and what their reasons for doing this is.
I believe that Superheroes can and do exist. The crime fighters and those who patrol the dangerous streets looking to fight evil and protect people, they are the true superheroes who are the heart and soul of it all. They are what started it all and will do what needs to be done. (In the Military, the Infantry are the ones who are respected the most. Without them, the Military wouldn't be what it is.) I've been at this thing my entire life. For years I'd felt alone at this. I felt like I'd be the only one who would be doing this and that I'd forever feel out of place in this world because of that. It's really sad when you grew up finding yourself relating to fictional characters more than real people. Then once I found others like myself, the world felt right for once. But over time I saw things change. The overall idea had been shifted in a different direction unlike what I'd expected, and not in a good way. My hope is to peacefully shift things back in the right direction. Because even though a lot of people would go in a certain direction, something never felt right to them and I don't know if even they knew what it was. But I was able to see it. I've been able to see the problem and the solution.
"But Tothian, if I help a homeless person, they consider me a superhero."
Oh are we still at this "But Tothian," crap? LOL! Alright fine. Think about how you could be embarassing these people by drawing attention to them. YES a lot of them get ignored by society a lot and love to talk to people and go on long rants and not feel ignored, but rather to feel like they too matter. Different people will perceive you differently. Different people will react differently, as well as feel differently. A lot of them will be too nice to criticize someone who is helping them. But please remember to put their needs above your's.
I understand we all have our reasons for doing things. With advantages comes disadvantages. I've got my reasons as well, as well as my own sets of Pro's and Con's. There's plenty of logic which can be debated. But admittedly - at the risk of sounding self-centered and egotistic - I speak from experience. I don't claim to know everything but this is my life. This is my passion. This is my reason for living. Just about everything I study, is because I feel in some way it will help me as Tothian, to do what I was born to do.
And I'm not trying to tell people what to do or not do. You have the right to make your own decisions. But so can I. And right now I'm making the choice to give my advice for all who wish to read it here. I know what I'm doing and have a reason for saying this. The Warrior Spirit needs to be kept alive, and with great passion and enthusiasm, in order for The Spirit of Camaraderie to exist within the Real Life Superhero Community.
And I'm not trying to tell people what to do or not do. You have the right to make your own decisions. But so can I. And right now I'm making the choice to give my advice for all who wish to read it here. I know what I'm doing and have a reason for saying this. The Warrior Spirit needs to be kept alive, and with great passion and enthusiasm, in order for The Spirit of Camaraderie to exist within the Real Life Superhero Community.
Oh yes - and we're not a Movement. We're a Community. To find more of us, check out the Heroes Network Listing, and check out the Heroes Network Portal over on the Heroes Network Forum!
