We often talk about deviance and deviants as people who do things outside of society in a negative way. This week I watched “Superheroes” a documentary on HBO about people who consider themselves real-life superheroes and do what superheroes do: fight crime. Clearly these people are deviating from the societal norm by dressing up in costumes and fighting crime themselves rather than relying on law enforcement officers to do so. While at first they seem a bit foolish, their intentions are actually quite sweet. Most of the superheroes had bad childhoods and were teased and abused. Since they had been impacted personally by crime, they decided that they would dedicate their time to fighting crime.
One of the crime-fighting organizations even managed to get a non-profit status, although most of them are considered a liability by police officers. I think this documentary was so interesting to me because it dealt with people who are considered “at risk” for becoming criminals, who in fact did the opposite. While it’s hard to know how legitimate the portrayal of the superheroes was, the presence of a camera may have influenced their actions one way or another, it seems that it was pretty accurate.
I really enjoyed watching this documentary and would highly recommend it. While it doesn’t seem like they are too efficient at combating actual crime, it does seem like they are making a difference in their daily encounters with people and through this documentary, by inspiring people to make a difference. Corny, but real.
I have to say I really dig this post. I got the chance to watch the Superheroes documentary. Amazing! While watching the film I couldn’t help but wonder how brave the superheroes really are. This posting can also relate to three readings we have done a few weeks ago, “Outsiders” by Howard S.Becker, “The Social History Of Moral Panic” and Erving Goffman’s “Stigma and Social Identity”. Many of the topics discuss in those readings correlate with this film. The out group that is stigmatize and the emergence of superheroes through the U.S.
Many of the superheroes shown on the film are outsiders of society and individuals how have been ostrictize and stigmatize. They make a relevant argument on how have society has failed them but I don’t think this is an indication of a raise of heroes. The are simply a body in society that wants to contribute and fix a system that is corrupt. They differ from law enforcement because many of them is undertaking dangerous risks without pay and the many amenities police officers receive. The job of law enforcement officers is tough and dangerous however I feel that their job is too heavily based on political polls. As mention in the “Outsiders” some groups are given more priority over others and some are punished more. You can even look at how crimes have been handle in our society, so crimes are given more attention then others because of the association to a specific class or race.
If our modern society was in state of chaos or was even a reflection feudalism of old Europe and old Asia in the 14th t0 18th century then the idea of superhero would not seem so strange. The weak raising against the strong. I have to admit much like the superheroes I grow up idealizing a cartoon hero (Batman) but there was point in life when the lines between fantasy and reality were drawn. To live out one’s dream by all mean is a given right but I felt most of them chose the hero path as means to escape reality. On psychological note there is nothing crazy about the heroes mission, I would believe if they could operate on a greater scale they would achieve more than our law enforcement agency because they wouldn’t be constrained but outside influences like politics.
Great Post! This video really makes you wonder what’s considered deviant in today’s society. Yes, these people definitely stray outside societal norms, but is their mindset much different than say, a neighborhood watch program? Overall, I would say there is a common idea of communal protection between citizens. The reason these people would be considered deviants is more because of the wild tactics they exhibit rather than because of their efforts towards the protection of others.
Vigilantism is generally thought of as deviant behavior, but if the actions are taken in order to benefit the desires of the masses, than is this truly deviant behavior? In other words, do the ends justify the means? It basically comes down to the specific actions which the vigilante enters into. Depending on the situation and circumstances, normally deviant behavior may be acceptable if the objective is generally acceptable. The point I make is that deviance is defined differently depending on a wide range of variables.
I think it’s interesting that many of these “Superheroes” are anti-police, especially because each group could gain from one another’s guidance. I think most communities want to help police themselves, given the fact that they will benefit from a safer neighborhood. The problem with a cooperative between police and citizens is that each group is resentful towards each other; police don’t want help doing their job, while citizens are resentful that their help is necessary.
I came upon this by accident actually, looking for a forum, but found the comments to be very interesting. There are many, MANY Real Life Superheroes (RLSH) out there, and vary in methods as greatly as in uniform (or costume, if you prefer). One misconception however may be the relationship with law enforcement. Some RLSH have a strained relationship with local law enforcement and this may be due to the officers or to the individual RLSH, however, many of us (yes, I am one of them) have very positive relationships with local charities, law enforcement entities and neighborhood watch teams. I am from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, and my team and I have worked cooperatively with the local precincts with wonderful results. We don’t go into detail of what we do exactly as “some” people may use that against us on the street. Suffice it to say that we are effective in crime deterrence. If even a very small way, it’s something, right? None of us thinks we have superpowers or are invincible. Our best weapons are our cell phones and first aid kits. We hide our faces to protect our families’ and our own safety as there are some gangs and drug dealers who are not pleased with our presence on the streets. We’re not trying to prove anything other than, ANYONE can make a difference. We care. We want to make this world better and know that will only happen one person at a time. We give water, blankets, hygiene supplies and resource information/food to people on the street, provide medical care or referrals to those who need it, and participate in fundraising to supply our brothers and sisters in this world with what they need to improve their quality of life. If not us, who? If not now, when? Laugh at us if you like, but we prefer if you laugh with us. We are friends, not vigilantes. Join us. We won’t make you wear tights. 😉