Superheroes

Shresta Nibhanupudi (she/her)

Editorial Team Member

I love superhero movies, and I have always enjoyed watching them. I love watching Spiderman, and I have loved all of the Captain America movies: my favorite of which being Civil War. And so when kids wish for a world in which those heroes exist, I’m quick to agree. It would be so incredibly cool to see those heroes exist. And sometimes, I also agree that our world would need them as well. However, I don’t want to live in a world where these heroes exist, because for them to keep their jobs, there must be great evil. In terms of the Avengers, there was a civilization-ending threat with Thanos. In order for Spider-Man to exist, there had to be Norman Osborn. Great heroes only become relevant when there is great evil, and this goes beyond superhero comics. 

When things go wrong, someone must step up, and often we want those figures back in our times. For example, Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal came during a time of great negativity in the Great Depression. Many praise his efforts (rightfully so), and want his expertise in our current administration, but it’s hard to say what he would’ve done in times like ours, which are significantly different. But in past United States history, this belief in needing heroes relates to many mental situations. 

Many who are in poor places in their lives keep waiting for something or someone to save them. They keep waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel. But in order for that light to appear, you have to drive through miles of severe darkness. And while it’s terrible, often it’s important to disregard this idea of waiting for someone to help. It’s sometimes necessary to take charge and open up the tunnel to reveal light. Because in order for those heroes to exist, there must be an equal evil.