Inter-Action

Superman is All of Us

By Gregory McNeill

Superman isn't just a symbol of super heroics; he represents the best of all of us. Today's modern world has defined the word "hero" from celebrities who sometimes display negative behavior publicly to various sports athletes known for their skills.

Recent events have caused people to reconsider how we view the definition. Last year, the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut also brought out the best of humanity from a tragic situation when 8 adults, including the Principal, lost their lives saving other children from being killed by a rampaging gunman who had shot and killed 20 children before taking his own life.

During the week of May 6, 2013, worldwide attention was spotlighted on Cleveland, Ohio, the hometown of Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster when Amanda Berry who was missing for a decade had called the 911 Operator for help after escaping her captor and went to Charles Ramsey for help who was instrumental in the rescue of two other women from captivity and the arrest of Ariel Castro who had held the women as sex slaves. The women have been reunited with their families.

Those stories are examples of ordinary people who do the right thing when there is a need to. In a recent interview, Charles Ramsey told a reporter that he isn't a hero and did the right thing because of what his father had taught him as a child to not turn people away when they need help.

I am reminded of a story from the Chapter of Genesis 4:9 after Cain had killed his brother Abel in anger. Cain had asked the question to God "Am I my brother's keeper?" That question has been asked for centuries and the answer is "Yes." Regardless of Race, Religion, or Gender, we are our brother and sister's keepers.

Whenever people devote their time and energy to a cause or help others by becoming professionals in particular fields, or just volunteer their time at a local community organization, they are having an impact on the world, regardless whether their efforts are publicly recognized or not. And it is our moral responsibility to help others in need and help them so that they can help themselves.

Superman is a reminder of our basic values that we were taught as children such as love, equality, and having solid morals that are still needed in this high-paced global community which has been neglected in recent years. Superman's greatness isn't the powers nor the costume, but the embodiment of truth and justice that extends beyond the continent of North America.

In truth, all of us are Superman and Superman is us.