Superheroes, and guilt...

"He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money" - Benjamin Franklin 

I just watched the "Superheroes" documentary, made my Michael Barnett, for the second time.  And again, I finished watching it with an odd feeling of hope and inspiration.  For anyone who hasn't seen it, the film follows small groups of civilians, and in all honesty, nerds...who dress up like their own unique superhero and attempt to stop crime and injustice in their cities.  Everything from confronting drug dealers in a park, putting up flyers to raise awareness about a local "groper", and a lot of community outreach to the homeless...giving food/water/hygienic products and most importantly, a connection to people who don't look at them like second class human beings. 

I initially wanted to pass this off as hokey.  And it is, there are a lot of people who help who don't put on costumes and make a difference in their communities everyday.  But these are total randoms, people with nothing to do and instead of squandering their money on nonsense, or idealizing pop stars and actors and rappers who don't give a shit and have zero sense of social conscious.  They decide to put on funny outfits, and walk the streets at night, doing good.  I can't hate on it, and even find myself inspired. 

I mean, I'm a drummer in a moderately successful rock band.  I have 30 college credits and about 4 hours of volunteer time to my name.  All I really did, was meet 3 guys who are also capable musicians, and worked trying to write good music and get it out to a lot of people.  In reality, a mostly self-serving task.  And yes, I've been trying the way I know how, collecting cans of food at shows for  years and trying to divvy up some of this new found reward to charity and what/not.  But something like this film puts a rock in my stomach, one that's there because my life is getting better, and if I decide to open my eyes everyday, so many people need help.  And the difference between me and them is typically an odd twist of fate, something that we have no control over that put me here and put them there. 

Luckily I have a job that effects people in a positive way.  And a singer who writes things who inspire people.  I recognize that, and this is one of a few career choices that I find worth in.  That doesn't mean what people do isn't worthwhile, this is just my personal set of unfounded expectations for the world.  You have to do what you have to do to get by, and a self-righteous point of view doesn't always fit into that.  But if there is anything this little documentary taught me, is that we ALL can be doing something more.  No matter what position you're in.