The 'Xtra' Approach To the 'Real Life Superhero' (RLSH) Concept.

My 'Cap Black' umbrella role for advocacy is about going the extra mile for the Black community and all in it- nobody is left out!

'Xtra' runs parallel to the 'RLSH' or 'real life superhero' community, sort of like a distant first cousin to it. LOL.

I've been doing my 'Cap Black' role since 2008 when I first heard about often-costumed advocates during the 'Occupy New York' recession era who were giving food to the homeless and doing safety patrols.

Before then my advocacy was informed by a lifelong love of heroic fiction as well as heroes from Black history but never thought anyone would actually 'suit up' to do it.

I didn't do full face masks (I wear glasses lol) largely due to being a large Black man in a Southern city where that could easily have been mistaken for criminal intent.

Same for wearing a 'gimmick' (uniform or costume) because I'm too bulky for tights lol but more power to those who wear them. Tshirts and buttons stating my intention have been worn but most of my advocacy is done in plain clothes- though I did get a cape made for special occasions. :)

Got to meet some well known past and present RLSH over social media and in online forums where we'd exchange ideas and cheer each other on.

My 'Xtra' approach to the 'real life superhero' concept was and is to embed myself with normal folks and serve as a 'lead' in mobilizing them to address quality of life and public safety concerns. Serving as head oc security and support for a beleaguered community building was the high point of this approach and am still in contact with many met there to this day.

Street advocacy started as a '1 Man Street Patrol,' became the 'Cap Black Street Patrol' and evolved into today's 'Borrow A Brother' volunteer safety escorts for female friends and worthy causes. I have a Facebook page and Nextdoor group by the same name to mobilize concerned folks. 'Halt Hunger' food outreach is also done when supplies permit.

Over the years I witnessed how publicity, personality clashes, political differences and implicit  bias can intrude upon this pure idea like they do other concepts.

Already a 'recovering grouch,' lol, distancing myself wasn't difficult, despite fondness for superhero-themed activists.

Now we find ourselves in another inflationary, inflammatory moment, complete with nationwide food stamp defunding, and similar to the early 2000s, it's prime time for every category of RLSH and non-RLSH advocate alike to get in touch and get involved. 

It's in that spirit that I've recently done a few videos and posts re-connecting to RLSH, my distant first cousins.  

Their optimism and grassroots altruism are sorely needed.

Signed,

Cap Black, 

Your 'Xtra' Brother.

#borrowabrother 

Note: I have a 'Borrow A Brother' Facebook page, 'Borrow A Brother' Facebook group and for further embedding with concerned New Orleans residents, a 'Borrow A Brother/Snag A Sister' Nextdoor group for networking.