Why The World Needs Superman
(Written after the release of "Superman Returns" in July-2006)
One doesn't have to travel very far now days to witness or experience man's inhumanity to man first hand. The nightly news is full of gruesome images and stories of tragedy and horror that often seem to challenge even the most forthright and experienced news anchor to maintain some semblance of calm detachment while reading the text. Watchers are numb to the horror as well, or so it seems. Many are simply sinking further into the cesspool of delayed stress syndrome that appears to have engulfed much of the civilized world since the fall of the twin towers.
In the midst of all this, Americans prepare to set off Fourth of July fireworks that may be unsettling reminders of another horror to those of us who have just escaped the grip of a vicious conflict half way around the world. Enter, Superman, red cape flapping in the wind and his dark curl falling onto his forehead enticingly as he once again reaches out to rescue animals, children, adults, neighborhoods, cities and the world with little effort.
I grew up with Superman. Class bullies and years of uncertainty and insecurity plagued my youth and drove me to seek refuge in the arms of someone invincible and untouched by the mundane struggles of mere mortals. No matter how tough things got, in fact. the tougher things got, a piece of my young soul was somehow strengthened by imagining that somewhere out there in the vast universe there could actually be a Superman. a man totally devoid of fear and uncorrupted by vice or greed. a man completely dedicated to fighting for the preservation of truth and consumed with the concept of justice for all.
In my youth, Superman fought for truth, justice and the American way. This latest movie, Superman Returns, makes it very clear that Superman is fighting for truth and justice all over the world though. That may seem like an insignificant departure from the original script, but it is, in view of today's global unrest, extremely important. For it is indeed the world that needs Superman now, not just America.
The world needs Superman (and Supermen) because the world needs hope. Hope that good can conquer evil. Hope that it does indeed pay off to be truthful, even when everyone around you is lying, hope that things will indeed get better, and hope that there will be another tomorrow. Superman does all of this without irritating anyone with religious or political beliefs.
Superman is a concept, not just a figure in tights swinging from wires. Superman embodies the inner goodness that is an expression of the true nature of human beings. We lose track of that in times like this. We tend to get swept away by all the anger and horror. Superman has returned to remind us of some very important things.
Excuse me while I drag my old Superman suit out of the trunk and brush the wrinkles away one more time.
Michael Jaquish
(Retired Police Officer)
Gig Harbor, WA, USA
