Morality and Identity

            Everywhere in the world there are moral codes by which people and groups of people live by. Honor societies moral code requires them to recognize leadership, academic excellence, and service. The United States army has the moral code to protect and serve their country. According to authors Robichauld and DeScioli superheroes have a moral code on how they handle conflict while fighting crime. Although each author’s article discusses different theories on the moral codes that define a superheroes responsibility, utilitarianism or the moral high ground, they have helped me realize that moral codes exist all over. As I stated in the first sentence people and groups of people have a moral code by which they conduct their lives, organization, or relationships with friends, families, and colleagues.

A superhero is no different and by understanding a superheroes moral code one can better understand why they perform the actions they take. One can understand why Batman does not end Joker once and for all and save himself the hassle of capturing him again, why Peter Parker eventually becomes Spider-Man though he is still in high school, and why many superheroes do not use their powers for personal gain. It is a part of their moral code as a superhero. As briefly discussed in class the origins of moral codes can come from numerous sources. Parents, personal experience, and religion are just a few, but no matter where it comes from when a person knows another’s moral code they can easily understand that person.

            One aspect of a superheroes moral code is a secret identity. The value of a superheroes identity can come from different reasoning. As Duncan and Smith state in their article ‘The Superhero Genre” a secret identity is one of the three elements needed to be classified as a superhero. So by having both they identify as someone more prominent than others. Another value could be so that they can hide from the media and live a normal life, but every normal person knows every identity of the Fantastic Four. For them it is more of their way of turning the superhero responsibilities on and off. They are superheroes but that is not their whole personas. They are also someone else too. I believe this can be extended to all superheroes.

            By having multiple identities a person can have a connection to a certain lifestyle. By superheroes having the super powered identity they remember that they can do things beyond the reach of a normal human being, but the everyday identity is their bridge to the world where they can eat pizza with friends without fearing for their lives. I can understand this way of thinking from personal experience. I have a bridge to being the hardworking student,  the unique cousin, and the attentive girlfriend. It is not hard to manage these different aspects of my life because they are all a part of what makes my entire being. They are the personalities that frame who I am. I become one or another depending on whom or what is around me. For a superhero their identities are what make them who they are. The self they call upon depending on what is going on.

            A superheroes moral code is the reasoning behind why they carry out certain actions. Since reading about different theories explaining superheroes moral codes I feel I better understand why they take those actions opposed to others. An aspect of their moral code includes the secret identity and the value it has for them. I believe they value their identities because it is two sides that make up the whole individual. By finding peace between the differing sides of themselves superheroes can defend the world and live a normal life.  

Playing Favorites

          When I was younger everything had a gender and was meant for that gender. For example, the colors blue, red, and green were boys; while the colors pink, yellow, and orange were girls. Unless it was my uniform- I had a dark blue and white uniform from Kindergarten to 3^rd Grade- one would not see me in what I thought to be “boy colors.” I was not raised to think that way it is just how I categorized objects and things when I was that age. So when it came to superheroes most of them were boys, so I thought they were for boys. However, there was one superhero from my childhood that was a female, that I adored, and that I can say is my favorite. Sailor Moon.

          According to Duncan and Smith’s article “Comic Book Genres: The Superhero Genre” a superhero must display certain elements that define them as a superhero: a costume, a mission, powers not possessed by any normal human, and a dual identity. Sailor Moon holds all of these things and can therefore be categorized as a superhero. Her costume consists of red knee-high boots, a blue mini skirt, a white leotard with a red bow in the front that holds her transformation crystal, a blue and white cape, and a second red bow in the rear. Elbow high white and red gloves, and accessories that frame her face. After her transformation she proclaims her mission to her enemy. “I stand for truth and I stand for love. I am Sailor Moon! I will triumph over evil and that means you.”  A paraphrase from what I remember as a child. Her powers come from her past life as the Moon Princess Serenity which gives her authority over her tiara, that can slice and destroy many enemies, and a series of wands that change and upgrade with each passing season. All of this is hidden by her identity as a normal 14-year-old high school student by the name of Serena.     

           In addition to the bright colors, the fact that she was an evil fighting female, and had adventures in space I believe what interested me the most was her elegance when fighting. Around the time I watched Sailor Moon I was a ballerina studying at Dancing of the Streets in Chicago and I was learning how to be graceful, careful, and classy while dancing. Sailor Moon had all of this while battling Queen Beryl, having her friend’s heart crystals stolen, and trying to find a princess. I looked up to this. I used to mimic her transformations and attacks, and reenacted episodes from Cartoon Network with my friends during recess. We all loved her and the Sailor Scouts. It was how we bonded with one another at such a young age.

            Sailor Moon in reality was 14-year-old adolescent. When analyzing her crime fighting self and her everyday normal self I realize the only thing she really took seriously was her crime fighting. While Serena would whine, complain, and was clumsy but when she transformed into Sailor Moon she became a devoted defender of justice.

She essentially grew up as a result of her transforming. She became more serious, dedicated, and responsible. So when thinking about what Sailor Moon would do to handle a problem in my adult life I would have to remember she would do it as an adult. No matter the situation she would face it as a grown up should with loyalty, perseverance, and in a graceful manner. That is what I wanted to be when I grew up and what I continue to strive to be.    

Since Sailor Moon has the costume, purpose, powers, and double identity to classify her as a superhero. It is because of her grace, elegance, and dignity when fighting that makes her my favorite superhero. When handling a situation and imagining how she would resolve it I believe she would behave as a responsible adult and take care of the situation the best way possible. Just like her theme song says “Never running from a real fight…” I will take her example and never run from a problem but handle them like an adult.