Real Life Super Heroes

Today is my 100th blog post since creating this page, and today I was plagued with the question of what to write about. Then it hit me, the RLSH (Real Life Super Heroes). These are ordinary men and women, like you and me, who put on costumes, have equipment, and go out to patrol their neighborhoods, help their communities and make a difference. And they do it all without flying, running at super speed or having any powers beyond their own physical skills.

Now when people read this and dig into it further, they might think that these people are crazy for putting on costumes, and going out to fight crime, or help out in their community. And the truth is, you kind of have to be. A few days ago, Yahoo News did an article on the Heroes, with reporter Jim Brasher going out on a night patrol with San Jose hero Motor Mouth. Motor Mouth put it best: "You have to be a little eccentric, there's no question about it. You gotta be eccentric and you gotta have a little bravado about yourself."

When I first found out about the RLSH, I thought it was more of a club or just a fad of people wearing costumes and fighting crime. And since I am a devoted fan of superhero comic books, I thought it was just downright cool. But the more that I read and learned, the more I realised, that this isn't just people putting on costumes and going out there for perks or fame, it's as I said, to make a difference. These people put themselves in danger every night, and they do it because they want to make change. But that also makes them vigilantes in the eyes of the law. Now of course this is considered a crime, but is it a crime to want to make a difference? To want to help the police by tackling the problems that they can't always get to? I certainly don't think so. Awhile back, I was talking to one of the heroes, Patriot, about wanting to get involved and wanting to help. He told me that helping out doesn't always mean putting on a mask and costume. You can start by getting involved in your community and doing volunteer work.

The RLSH is growing in members and their message is being spread. Director Michael Barnett and produer Theodore James spent a year on the road following forty heroes across the US for an upcoming documentary called, yep you guessed it, Superheroes. The point of the heroes is best put in the words of Director Barnett: "There's not one thing the RLSH community focuses on, they really do focus on everything, every aspect of the community, and how to make it better. And the thing that drives all of them, is people who do not care; that's their mission, change the people who do not care to caring people." If anyone who read this blog wants to learn more about the RLSH go to http://www.reallifesuperheroes.org/ and just take a look around. Read up on the heroes, read some of their adventures and maybe you will be inspired to create your own hero and make a difference.