Staying Motivated As A RLSH
By: Nadra Enzi aka Capt. Black

“You can’t save the world! ” Heard this before? How about thinking it on your own? Concerned citizenship risks emotional wear and tear. Especially our brand. Problems outnumber problem solvers so fatigue often sets in. Especially when feeling alone in your concerns. Most folks hunker down trying to change nothing more than their socks in the morning. World change is out of reach. Crusading isn’t popular like apathy. Apathy is easier and neatly fits  busy schedules.

RLSH retirement levels may match dropout rates in neighborhood watch; citizens patrol and related groups. Life intrudes upon motivation variously: income problems; relationship issues; health challenges, etc. Time outs recharge initiative. Constant performance without rest undermines even peak performers. Beginning this lifestyle is addictive. Constant RLSH activity assures more of the same. Expressing your best self is intoxicating. Without balance, inevitable exhaustion happens. Toss in balancing double lives for those with secret identities and motivation suffers. Burn out is an occupational hazard, especially considering how few try changing conditions.

Motivation for extraordinary lifestyles is highly individualized. One size fits all solutions miss particular personalities. Find out what keeps you and you alone upbeat. List de-motivators to avoid like the plague. Associate with like minded people. Have an active spiritual or ethical practice to stay tuned in to higher consciousness. 

Most importantly, recognize you can’t change the world. No matter how many suspects are caught or meals given, crime and hunger continue. Expanding your sphere of influence gradually changes the world around you. As it grows, so does your impact. Being overly ambitious is draining. Or worse, creates bitterness. Better to return to this lifestyle after recharging.  Nervous breakdowns accomplish nothing.

Take time out for yourself; strategically leave the lifestyle to recharge; associate with the like minded; these and other tips keep RLSH and other concerned citizens focused. I learned these tricks as a full time writer/speaker/activist. Even Dr. King took vacations. Corporate C.E.O.s have retreats. We should do no less.

It isn’t quitting. It’s not weakness. Knowing when to cut back is strength. Understanding how to stay motivated helps you to motivate others.

 The views and comments of Captain Black do not reflect on the views of the RLSH community.

NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development. http://www.captblack.info and http://www.blogtalkradio.com/nadraenzi.

WHEN FICTION BECAME FACT:
The Real Superhero Movement As Civic Duty Reloaded.
By: Nadra Enzi aka Capt. Black

Civic duty is old as the family unit. Individual responsibility to the group is its focus. Modern America fleshed this out further by instituting neighborhood watch and citizens patrol functions as adjuncts to law enforcement. This support capacity was taken a step further in the form of creative concerned citizens who used comic book motifs to create new crime prevention and emergency need fulfillment roles. Dubbed “ real life superheroes “ ( RLSHs ) by the media this new breed of patrolling citizen is carving a place at the table marked civic duty. To date, concerns about vigilantism haven’t borne incidents of note. Most operate well within the law and are knowledgeable about statutory powers possessed by anyone, costumed or not.

This redefinition of civic duty comes as a supplement of established order instead of a challenge.

Reloading civic duty like this does challenge preconceptions about citizens role in stopping suspected criminal activities. Videotaped encounters at a public park between New York area RLSH and alleged drug dealers alarmed local law enforcement. Their concern was the costumed citizens in question confronted offenders with lengthy records known to carry weapons. These interventions demonstrate the seriousness with which some real life superheroes exercise civic duty. Similar undocumented accounts report citizens arrests made and information provided leading police to purported violators. Beyond dressing up for cameras, this movement has real tactical impact on combating crime without becoming criminals.

The second front operated by RLSHs is humanitarian assistance. While not universally practiced, it has become a movement hallmark to aid the homeless. Colorful personages give food and blankets to the homeless while making rounds. Various costumed activists are known for this even more than fighting crime. Some argue combating homelessness combats root causes of crime. An overriding concern for society’s ignored drives this more than providing creative crime prevention. Patrolling the streets increases awareness of homelessness and the relative lack of mobilization against it. Alongside hospital and school visits, the movement tackles difficult social issues beyond traditional crime prevention.

Reloading civic duty like this opens doors for participation old as the English “hue and cry “system where whistle blowing watchers alerted communities to trouble. It’s new as the latest name of the newest person to don an identity. While reasons for a more engaged public mount, reloading civic duty in such an attention-getting fashion helps motivate folks numbed by bad headlines and an even worse economy.

Real life superheroes breathe new life into time honored notions like civic duty and reload them for a nation desperately needing a more involved citizenry.

The views and comments of Captain Black do not reflect on the views of the RLSH community.

NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development through his CRIME ISN’T A CIVIL RIGHT! presentation among other efforts. HELP HAITI Y’ALL is its latest urgent humanitarian highlight. nadracaptblack@ymail.com and (912) 272-2898. http://www.captblack.info

Today I went down to donate to the Red Cross. I’ve been doing this for a while now. It was my time to do it and it just so happened that there is a world crisis out there, so I thought the timing was great. At the counter, there was a volunteer working there, He was an older guy who looked like he was in his seventies or eighties. I confess that I did not learn his name because I still get nervous donating. I was really focused on not liking getting my finger pricked to test for iron or being hooked up to a machine for an hour. When I handed him my paperwork he said “Now don’t drink any blood before we get your blood pressure” which I quickly replied, “I’ll try to hold myself back from blood drinking.” We both laughed at his mistake.

But after I did the paperwork and got hooked up to the red cell machine, I watched this guy from afar. I noted the amount of service pins on his badge and how he sat in a chair by himself until he was needed. I also noticed a lot of people who came in to donate to help out the disaster in Haiti. This was very inspiring to see every day people coming out because they want to help.

Critics of the RLSH sub-culture are correct. No one needs a mask or a cape to make a difference. There are many different people out there making a difference every single day. Whether it’s working at the local shelter to volunteering at a food bank, people are out there all the time doing things to make the world better. However, what some naysayers of the RLSH culture fail to realize is that we get to witness that heroism by those hard working individuals. I have had the tremendous opportunity to see normal, everyday people go out and work to make the world a better place. I’ve witnessed groups of people hand out stuff to the homeless, who do it all on their own. I’ve met volunteers who work at the Red Cross, shelters or food banks. I’ve gotten to see the best side of humanity. The world is not a bad place. There are people who care about others. There are thousands of people who strive to live their lives in service of others. Perhaps our perception of the world is skewed by horrible things that do happen in our communities. But there are also true heroes out there who work hard to make a difference every day. When faced with that, how could I not try to do what I can also? How can I stop doing what I do when I get a chance to witness true heroism firsthand by real heroes in my city? I can’t. And perhaps people will say that I am seeing the world with rose-colored glasses and it is unrealistic. But there are good people out there. People do have the potential to do good and there are many who exercise that potential. It just so happens that I have the opportunity to see that more often than not.

So the nurse at the Red Cross finished what they need to do processing my donation and I was off to the canteen for cookies and apple juice. Things like this don’t make me feel good about myself. But being a witness to actual heroism makes me feel inspired.

P.S. Again, I don’t usually mean to seem standoff-ish at the donation center. I don’t think a lot of people do. But I think most people are nervous because of needles. At least I am. I am not fond of pain!

The views and comments of Zetaman do not reflect on the views of the RLSH community.

Zetaman is a costumed activist located in Portland, Oregon. To find out more about him, please visit his site at http://www.zetaman.tv or email him at zetaman@zetaman.tv

Sadly, in life, all things come to an end. Everything we build and work for will eventually end. This was a lesson I learned this past weekend, when I had the opportunity to participate in Superheroes Anonymous 3. The incredible men and women that I met there are working everyday to improve their lives and strive to make a difference. It is heartbreaking to know that one day it will be over.
Maybe the RLSH idea will evolve and grow, or maybe it will phase out. I really cannot say. But is living this sort of lifestyle worth it? The ridicule we all face, the frustration and the day-to-day struggle to find a balance and give our all… is it worth it?
Why comics? Surely the RLSH community can find a different more established form of organization or style in which we all can work within. The RLSH is just a step above comic costume players and those who dress as animals and engage themselves in social situations. Why not stop this silliness of pretending to be superheroes and only making small changes in their cities? And in one-hundred years, no one will remember the food drives or the charities or the fight breakups anyone did anyway. Is there any point to what we are doing? Yes, most definitely.
An individual online posted a You Tube video stating that what we are doing is out of selfish arrogance and that we need to glorify God in what we do or else we will fail. Within my belief system, I agree with most of this. However, those who I am associated with do not always share my beliefs. How else can I work with my fellow RLSH if we do not share some common ground in which we can associate with? Why not comic books would be a better question. I believe anyone who has read comic books cannot deny that it is really an art form. Men and women use iconic characters to relay social values and parables in which we the reader are able to learn from. Ideas are communicated through sequence pictures and text. Some of them are for entertainment and some are for the delivery of though provoking concepts. But again, comics are an art form. And this art form has inspired people to want to make a difference. These people want to use what has inspired them to continue on in life and “pay back” their love and solace they found in the funny books to make a difference. Is that wrong? Other people do the same exact thing. But we have created another name for it as religion. Not that RLSH is a religion in itself, but people have gathered a set of values based on an art form medium. What would it matter if it is Batman or Buddha? Spiderman or Zeus? They are, in fact, trying to make a positive difference in their lives as well as those around them. People may not see them as heroes, but you cannot deny the fact that trying to live a positive lifestyle by taking all opportunities to help those around them is not that far fetched and bizarre.
So why do people emulate comic book superheroes when the end result will not achieve true change in the world? The RLSH community is an individualist idea. It is a dedication to improve oneself. It is 100% true that any one person’s efforts will not yield significant results. However, does that mean that people should not try as a group to make a difference? Should people give up and settle into a life of anonymity and obscurity? I believe the answer should be no. I also believe everyone should strive to take as much out of life as possible. We only have one live to live. We only get once chance to do something that in all likelihood will fail. It is important to oneself to take advantage and direct our own lives. We need to seize the day. Every one of us cannot settle in life. We have to strive to always learn and always to change. We have to improve ourselves. The other choice is to allow our spirits and lives to be dictated by unending work and companies whose only interest is to generate revenue for their benefit. This behavior keeps us from learning and growing, and instead keeps us stagnant in personal value systems that degrade with time and make us senile.
Why the costumes? Another individual wrote a statement that active costume players using trademark fictional characters to emulate is as valid as people who associate themselves with the RLSH community. I believe this to be a false statement. The single main point of the RLSH is self expression with original ideas. True, we are basing certain value systems on comic books, but we are also creating our own. We are inventing ourselves to be living icons of our own value system. Each RLSH is their own culture unto themselves. They create a unique symbol which has meaning to them alone. The RLSH individual is deciding for themselves their own culture. They are creating there own avatar. Following set values and social dressings of established fictional characters removed the individualists’ aspect of the RLSH culture. Individuals who dress as comic book characters to perform acts of altruisms are bound by society’s standards of belief about said fictional character. A RLSH who created their own character are only bounded by society to do well. For this reason, it is critical for a RLSH to work and maintain their own unique persona, because it is their personal and no one else’s.
This past Labor Day weekend, I met incredible individuals who want to change their worlds. They are stepping outside society’s collective standards that are ingrained into us when we are children. We are taught not to make waves, and not to stand out. Society teaches us that true achievement in life is based on belongings and social status, rather than embracing life and realizing true worth and wealth within ourselves and others. We allow hours of our time and our hard work to be seized by corporations who care not about people, but for their own gathering of riches. There is a small minority of people who are willing to use what they have, to live and to do what they can to live a rich and fulfilled life. In the end, it is not up to society to dictate how we live our lives. It is up to us to do that.
The wonderful people I met this past weekend will grow old very fast. I am growing older and older at an alarming rate. It is my hope that those friendships that I am forging will continue for a very long time, that the ideals and passion of making each of our lives an adventure will sustain for a number of years. I want to look back at my life and know that even though I did something incredibility bizarre and unique, I did something with my life nonetheless. I also want to look back and remember fondly those men and women who are passionate about changing the world, and be honored to know them. I would have never known who they were otherwise. When I don the costume and set forth to make a difference in my city and in my life, I am joined with them. It is also my sincere hope that the RLSH community will strive beyond my years so that many young men and women will be empowered to do something with their lives rather than to fade into obscurity. Hopefully they, as well as those who I call my friends, will be remembered rather than to have never been known. I believe that this is the point of the RLSH community: to socialize with other people who share similar goals and beliefs. It is a subculture I have learned to be proud of and represent.

-ZM

Public Safety patrols – Work on getting a group together to patrol through crime ridden areas. This will help deter crime and let the bad element know there are people watching. You will not run into crime on a regular basis, but it will happen if you are out enough.

Neighborhood watch – Set up or get involved with a local neighborhood watch group.

Post wanted fliers – something like posting wanted fliers is helpful in not only find the criminal but making a statement to the community that their are people watching and looking out.

Clean Graffiti – It helps make the community a nicer place and let’s the vandals know they will not get away with defacing personal and private property.

Area Clean ups – This also helps make the community nicer and show that someone cares and gives the message that we all need to be mindful of our community.

Sting operations – This is a bit difficult and is not a good idea for everyone to do.
Do sting operations like leaving a car unlocked in a bad neighborhood or a woman standing alone. Waiting for a perp to try and do something and bust them on the spot. Do only with a well trained group of individuals. Use cameras to have clear evidence.

Rallies – After you build a rep in a community it would be great to be able to hold a rally about helping the community. It raises awareness, gets people involved, spreads your message, and let’s the bad element know the community is united against them.

All these can help turn a neighborhood around.

The RLSH community has received constant criticism about their presences on-line. I believe the ability to communicate with people in different states is one of the major factors in the RLSH culture. The culture itself has to give credit to individuals like Mr. Silent and Captain Jackson for establishing their web presence via websites. And then you have individuals like Terrifica and Superbarrio that have been in major news articles which have been stored on different news websites. This was the start of the RLSH culture online.
Society became bombarded with comic book movies. Movies like Blade or Batman Begins had a more realistic tone to them. People began to visualize the concept of actual people being actual superheroes. People flocked to their computers to comb the web in the off chance that this kind of thing could exist.
Now personally I’ve been a very harsh critic of the World Superhero Registry. But I would be incorrect in not stating it’s historical significance to the RLSH culture. The World Superhero Registry was inspired by a blog on a site called Mark Schmidt’s Adobe where he posted a question on the actuality of Real Superheroes. Then, from what I’ve researched, people named Kevlex and Beerio created sites about Real Life Superheroes. What became important were forums where people were able to register (nor not in the case of the WSR) and communicate with like minded individuals. Another historical milestone to the RLSH community was Myspace. When MySpace became used by the public in 1996 it also became a vehicle in which RLSH can create their profiles with total anonymity to communicate with the world.
With communication came face to face meet-ups. One of the first videos of the new RLSH culture after Superbarrio was Mr. Silent being interviewed by Fox News (this video can be viewed at www.youtube.com/rlshnews). This video showed the actual concept of patrolling the streets in a uniform possible.
The first historical meet up was in New York city featuring Cloud Starchaser, Dark Guardian, Squeegeeman and Tothian. In fact earlier, Squeegeeman posted a video on You Tube where he interviewed Cloud Starchaser. The 4 men patrolled during the day as they cleaned up a park and met people on the streets. After which came the first historical charity event at the St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital.
Frustrated by the lack up visual and coding updates with the World Superhero Registry and Beerio’s RLSH forum on Proboards, a individual named Blitz created a forum called the Hero Coalition. He, along with Cloud Starchaser and Dark Guardian, created a visually appealing forum with add-ons that appealed to the somewhat web savvy RLSH culture. What is important to remember about the Hero Coalition is not the effectiveness of the forum but the cultural impact it had. For the first time people clashed with other people over ideology in an unapologetic manner. Because of this clash, many people forum Cliqs and groups and in some cases created their own forums to cater to those who did not agree with the ethics or lack thereof on the Hero Coalition.

Most RLSH are poor. This is a fact. Most altruistic groups or sub cultures are. Perhaps the lack of a resource fuels a desire to see change. Or maybe indulging in the geek media of comic books and comic book movies as escapism or hobby has influenced RLSH culture greatly. In any case most RLSH individuals do not have the resources to be… well, Batman.
So we make do. We become creative in the tools we buy or create. We find alternatives to what we need. However, there are some critical resources and tools that we can wisely invest in that will serve our needs, be effective and will not weigh us down.
1) Hardware.
At one point or another, you will need some tools to do something. I cannot recommend lock picking tools because of the potential for illegal activity. However, a good Leatherman or a sturdy multi-tool is a wise investment all around. It is best to find one that features attachment for different screwdriver heads and a few sockets. I’ve used mine to do everything from changing car batteries, cutting ropes for tents on the street and quick bicycle repair. Take your time and save up for this one. Anyone will find that a Leatherman or multi tool is handy even if a person chooses not to be a RLSH anymore.
A sturdy flashlight is a must, especially a diesel-size Mag light that takes D-size batteries. This can always double as a weapon. I currently use a one million candle powered spot light, but it offers no practical defense. My purpose is different. However, Ms. Meow does carry a heavy duty Mag light which I am envious of. Most RLSH operate at night, so lighting is a must when researching clues or scoping out that weird trash mount that turns out to the be a person.
A working First Aid kit is always great. You’d be surprised by the amount of cuts or scrapes one gets into on the streets. On a superficial level, you don’t want any cuts to scar over and creating a identifiable mark. At the same time, you don’t want to bleed all over the place. Any major retail store contains Red Cross approved med kits should contain trauma pads. The training to use them is up to you.
Weapons and self defense items are dependent on your county laws or state laws. Therefore I cannot recommend any solid advice on what to carry or not.
The Cell phone has become the most indispensible tool within the RLSH arsenal. Technology nowadays has made our little communication devices into virtual Bat-computers. What I have is low-tech compared to what is out there right now. But I have uploaded the Opera Mini web application which is a great browser that features instant Google and Wikipedia search engine boxes. Your top 9 bookmarks are right on the menu screen. Most RLSH forums are easy to read using Opera. Despite the warnings by Google not to use Google Earth as a GPS, you can use Google Earth as a GPS. My driving has been saved by using Google Earth. I’ve navigated from Portland to obscure locations in Seattle simply by plugging in the addresses and getting driving directions and a map on my phone. Most cell phones now have the ability to run APIs and widgets. You can buy a webpage and post the odd widget that relays information that you need. I’ve personally been working on an API and widget webpage for the ability to collect information in one place. Cell phones that have options like voice memo enable you to replace the pen and paper on the field, and you can collect your notes later. Other options like the calendar, calculator or even the alarm clock become vital once you discipline yourself to use them. I would be lost without my phone. All of my contact information is stored on it, and it’s not even an iPhone. But I have learned to utilize all the tool functions on it and it is a tremendous resource. Especially the speed dial options for the police.
 I personally do not recommend buying a Bluetooth for your phone. Bluetooth devices can get knocked off your head. Instead, opt for the low- tech wire mic. If you have a mask, this can be easily incorporated into it. Either way, this device would be more difficult to remove off your face and if lost, it would be easily replaced.
When you are in the RLSH community, you will find tha you will be in constant communication with one fringe group or another. It is important to invest in a good long distance and text message plan. You will find that it is important to create a In Case of Emergency  file or numbers (ICE). When you do drop out of contact with your peers, they can research your whereabouts. It is still somewhat of a tight knit community. Also, you can mass text a group depending on the issue or topic.
It is important to have a digital camera. Recording information with time stamps are vital for evidence. I’ve had my pictures used as evidence in  court. A RLSH may not want certain pictures to be viewed by the public, and if this is the case, you can use a disposable camera instead. Also our community is still small and the demands for proof of your existence is critical. It is not vain to take a snapshot of yourself, provided that it is not of you in your living room.
This is the list of mandatory tools I believe any RLSH should carry at all times. Anything more like armor/uniform needs or training is up to the individual. But I believe that these items listed above are the building blocks of a basic patrol kit that a person should have if they do start patrolling the streets like the dark avengers that they are.
Zetaman of Portland.
Zetaman is a self proclaimed costumed activist located in Portland, Oregon. For more information, visit his sites at www.myspace.com and www.zetaman.tv.

By Citizen Prime

From Ration Reality

Today, the world needs heroes more than ever. In 1945, being a good man meant standing up for your neighbor as well as your country. It meant doing the right thing, and everyone knew what the right thing was. World War II was, arguably, our hour of greatest need and it bred men of amazing conviction and character as they fought against Hitler and what was called the Axis Powers. Today we are being attacked by a modern day axis of evil that threatens all freedom loving people.

The axis of disillusionment, fear and greed. These three powers have taken our culture by storm, infiltrating into every TV, radio and internet browser. And on the other side of this war lie the people of heroic character. They still exist. Yet, when heroes are mentioned, people are as likely to laugh as be combative. The tales of heroes, like our current war heroes, seem an exaggerated mythos to those who cannot conceive of the conviction it takes to do the right thing. And it is conviction at the heart of the matter. Yet, heroes do exist today and they exist all around us. Need proof? Zach Petkewicz’s quick thinking during the Virginia Tech shooting spree saved lives. Debra Boyd saved two people — a mother and her daughter — when a tornado hit the school where she worked. A store clerk talks with CNN’s John Roberts uncovers a plot to attack Fort Dix. See www.cnn.com/heroes for more about this brave souls. And these people are the merest tip of the iceberg. The honest truth is the hero is you, if given the right opportunity and you make the right choices.
 

So, how do you react when faced with those choices? Do you risk and possibly sacrifice your own well being to help someone in greater need? Imagine what it would be like if we all felt such kinship. Even today’s career criminals are not entirely immune to this concept of camaraderie. The genesis of gangs was an effort to protect and serve one’s own. That noble origin might be a far cry from gang activity today. As disillusionment in society, fear of harm or death and greed to get whatever one could sets in, the concept is entirely lost to decadence. But ironically, their roots were about family. What if we could all broaden that sense of protection for what we perceive as “our own” until we literally had no outsiders left?

What if we could learn the values of tolerance, understanding and treat everyone as we do our inner circle? Imagine the future we could offer our children. And I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want a better life for their children.When Sen. Barack Obama asked his daughter what we are here on earth for, she replied, “To help each other get through this.” As children, we have that natural sense of community. Somewhere along the way, we get disillusioned about that communal instinct. Convinced that we can’t flourish with such “naive” standards as universal acceptance and brotherhood. So, we come to the adult stance of “might makes right” and “if they want something, they take it.” Whether verbal, social or physical, it all amounts to the same – bullying. In a way, that’s okay.

We have to find the bullies. We can’t discuss the issue unless we know who to discuss it with. Only then can we have a meaningful dialogue with them about what it really means to protect themselves and protect their families. We could start with a question: When did you lose that natural sense of brotherhood and sisterhood? What straw broke your back? Was it the constant fear of growing up in a bad neighborhood? Was it the disillusionment of friendship lost due to hard choices growing up? Was it a friend who turned his back to us for a payday? Whatever it was, it was not any one thing or person. It was those negative values we live with in this era of free thinking. Fear, greed and disillusionment. The current Axis of Evil.And the one thing that has been around, since World War II – since forever – is the inspiration of heroes that are larger than life to illuminate values we want to emulate in our lives. Whether it was Zeus, Superman, or Captain America, its easy to see why we find the myths compelling. They live above the moral spaghetti bowl we deal with and cut wide swaths through their problems with unbridled powers and clear conscience decisions.

And the question of the day, of our day, is do we want to focus on the fear, greed and disillusionment that surrounds us? Do we want to add to it by attacking and belittling each other? Or, possibly, do we want to emulate those traits of heroes past and present, real and fictional, that stand up for what is right? Do we want to have the moral fiber to stand against a bullying onslaught and respond with rational kindness and strength of character? The answer is in our actions and it is those actions that define us as hero or not. Regardless of your choice, throughout human history, one thing has remained constant. We all absolutely need to have heroes. Today, the world is in short supply. One exists inside everyone. Bring it out. Be the hero in your own life and I assure you, you’ll soon find you are a hero to many.