With the newest attempt at making a DC movie, Batman v. Superman, out in theaters, I figured it'd be a great time to finally voice an opinion I've had for years now, especially since Ben Affleck's Batman tried to contest it at one point during their battle.
Superman is not a coward.
He really isn't and I've been saving up my thoughts on this for years since I sat in Mr. Kelly's sophomore English class and he went on a rant about how Superman isn't brave because he knows he can't die (at least at the hands of a mortal). I sat at my desk stewing, wishing I could shoot lasers out of my eyes at his head. I love you Mr. Kelly, but you're wrong.
He is so brave.
Have you ever had one of those moments when you could've done a good thing, but didn't? Don't lie. We all have. Like when you see someone struggling up the subway stairs with a baby carriage and you don't help them. Maybe you don't want to miss the train you hear pulling in. Maybe you don't want your friends to see and tease you for not being cool. Simple things like that. Or not parting with your change to one of the hundreds of homeless you see on the streets. Or just not sharing in general because you're not in the mood for it.
We choose not to do all these small things because we don't think they'd be life-changing when we think of the big picture. Plus, there's usually no one around to call us out on it. But what if there was? What if someone was there to call you out on all your selfish decisions and publicly shame you? Would you ever even agree to that? Most people wouldn't.
But Superman does. He lets his name be dragged through the dirt by people who are angry he wasn't everywhere at once. He lets people blame him when things go wrong or when he just can't be there for them. He lets them use him as a scapegoat for terrible things that have befallen them. That all rests on his soul.
He could choose to live his own perfect life and keep to himself on his farm in Kansas or with Lois in Metropolis. He could turn a blind eye on crimes he has no business stopping or a deaf ear to people's screams for help. He could. But he doesn't. Instead he tries to use his gifts to help as many people as possible, even if he doesn't know them personally. Even if they've wronged him. Even if they'll hate him for it. That's selfless. That's brave.
He doesn't do it to feel like he's playing God like Lex Luthor would do if he had the same powers. He isn't trying to enslave humanity. He's just trying to live like his parents (both blood and adopted) taught him. Like many kids, he's just trying to make them proud. He could do so many atrocious things and still get away with it. But he doesn't because he made the choice to be better. And that's brave. To choose the hard road instead of the easy one is one of the bravest actions one can take.
Then there are those who say that by also being Clark Kent, he isn't able to help as many people as he would if he dropped his civilian identity. But true strength is knowing how much you can take before you break and then choosing to rest. He knows he needs to keep that human side of him so that he never loses his love for humanity and the struggles they face. He also knows that he wouldn't be able to be Superman if he never was Clark Kent. And knowing your limits and admitting when you can't do it all? Knowing you can't always go it alone and asking or help? That's brave.
Because bullets may not be able to pierce his skin and his bones may not be able to break, but hurtful words can still pierce his heart and guilt can still break his soul. He takes on all these responsibilities, more than any one person should have on their shoulders, and carries them. For us. He offers up his soul, his humanity, for the taking, just to save us. He feels guilty when he can't help everyone. He feels hurt when they mock him and boo him. But he doesn't run away and hide. He keeps showing up to save the day, regardless of people's general opinions of him.
That's the bravest thing about him. He doesn't hide when he makes mistakes. He takes responsibilities for his actions and owns up to them. He feels remorse. He admits his imperfections, admits that he's just a person like everyone else. He's no genius. He's no savior. He's just him. And to admit that you're "just" anything in a world where everyone sees you as the hero? That's brave. Knowing people see you as their hero and choosing to keep doing that just so you don't let them down? Don't let strangers down? That's brave.
Superman is not a coward. He's brave and he's my hero.
And you can fight me on that Mr. Kelly.
