Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Real-life 'superheroes' take to the streets in US
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Asia Pacific
World
Real-life 'superheroes' take to the streets in US
AFP - Sunday, September 20
Send
IM Story
Print
Members of the group Superheroes Anonymous are pictured in New Bedford, Massachusetts with the co-founder of the group 24-year-old Chaim "Life" Lazaros (left) dressed in a black fedora, white shirt with skinny black necktie, and a studded belt.
NEW BEDFORD, Massachusetts (AFP) - – Inside a hotel room in this New England port city, a superhero assumed his disguise before hitting the street.
Dressed in a black fedora, white shirt with skinny black necktie, and a studded belt, 24-year-old Chaim "Life" Lazaros looks like any other hipster from New York City. Except for his black mask.
In real-life he's a radio personality at a college radio station, but in superhero mode, Lazaros spends his time comforting homeless people.
And his eye-catching uniform helps his cause.
"You will get stares, questions on the street from people who are interested and curious," Lazaros said.
"They are always inspired. I got emails from soldiers in Iraq saying 'It's so inspiring to me to see people back at home helping each other.'"
Three years ago, Lazaros and Ben Goldman, a documentary filmmaker, created "Superheroes Anonymous," an organized group of real-life superheroes.
Lazaros said there are now roughly 200 fellow superheroes across the country -- costumed civilians who patrol the streets behind self-made superhero personas.
Their missions are varied, from conducting homeless and sex worker outreach and picking up litter to looking out for crime and teaching first aid skills.
In early September, about 20 members gathered in New Bedford from across the country for a three-day event that included a hip hop concert, beach clean-up and workshops on how to disarm an enemy.
"Scavenger," a 28-year-old social worker, stood outside a local coffee shop during a break.
Dressed in a velvet bustier and black tassled bodysock, the tight spandex revealed only her eyes. She said crows and vultures inspired her costume, as they are the recyclers of nature.
"They clean up and they use things to live. So I take garbage off the street," Scavenger said, explaining that money she earns from picking up litter goes to buying things for homeless people.
At home, Mike "KnightOwl" Johnson is a firefighter and emergency medical technician from Ohio.
This towering 26-year-old in a bright yellow jersey with an owl logo and a black head scarf said he became a superhero as another way to make a visible difference in the world.
"I think anyone who looks around will fastly realize there's something seriously wrong with the direction that people are going in," said Johnson.
"We try to reverse a little of that, and ease pain and suffering anyway possible."
Toutou and Dave Marsden from nearby Walpole, Massachusetts were in town for a Sunday sightseeing tour. They dropped into a mask-making workshop with their two children.
"I think it's great," said Toutou, 34. "I think we should have everyday superheroes. I think it's great that people are out there helping out."
In their effort to do good, the superhero community may skirt the lines of safety.
Lazaros said he and other superheroes confront drug dealers, armed only with a camera.
On the "Superheroes Anonymous" blog, writers describe how to construct a practical crime-fighting costume -- including a bullet proof vest.
It also suggests strategies to win over the local authorities, suggesting, for example, that on Halloween you pay an initial visit in costume to the local Wal-Mart. Repeat often thereafter so people get used to a superhero presence.
Dressed in a burgundy and orange jumpsuit and white-framed sunglasses, New Bedford local David "Civitron" Civatarese, 28, said despite their odd appearance, superheroes have simple, altruistic motives.
"I'm sure not many people are going to take Civitron himself very seriously," said Civatarese.
"But once I start talking about the things that we're doing, whether that's helping out the homeless, helping out families in need, or just cleaning up the streets, they start to think about how can they help out whether they want to put on a costume or not."
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Havana expects huge crowds for peace concert AFP - Monday, September 21
TV series shows broken New Jersey city fighting back Reuters - Monday, September 21
"30 Rock," "Mad Men" out to defend Emmy trophies Reuters - Monday, September 21
Lebanese critics blast Israeli director's 'Lebanon' AFP - Monday, September 21
Iranian filmmaker hits out at Tehran regime AFP - Monday, September 21
News Search
Top Stories
Yemen army 'kills 140 Shiite rebels' in north
SA govt wants athletics chief fired over Semenya
Crisis still grips Ukraine amid IMF jitters
Thousands in Spain protest Opel job cuts
I.Coast toxic dump 'still claiming lives'
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Implanted tooth helps blind US woman recover sight
Ozone hole smaller in 2009 than 2008: WMO
Jackson mum, children get $86,000 per month
IMF to sell 403 tonnes of gold to help poor
Debate heats up over Wall Street rally
More Most Viewed »
Ozone hole smaller in 2009 than 2008: WMO
Poignant final farewell as Jackson laid to rest
Remains of Jesus-era synagogue found in Israel
Implanted tooth helps blind US woman recover sight
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Search
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Sunday, 20 September 2009 Taliban leader Omar says foreign troops face defeat
'Eight dead' in migrant boat sinking off Morocco
U.S. Afghanistan commander's troops request ready
| International
|
I.Coast toxic dump 'still claiming lives'
Sacked Irish computer workers to get massive EU aid
Sweden slashes income tax further to boost jobs
Road to Mideast peace 'blocked': Abbas
Families bear brunt of prisoners' plight in Iran
Iraq arrests three antiquities traffickers
Russia finds no secret cargo on Arctic Sea: report
| International
|
Two Afghan children killed by suspected woman bomber
Ahmadinejad Holocaust jibe 'totally unacceptable': Moscow
Serb gay pride parade off on lack of security assurances
| International
|
Pakistan police raid US-contracted security firm
Airman's bracelet lost in World War II returned
Bear attacks tourists at Japan bus station
Seven Mumbai suspects in custody: Islamabad
Racially charged killing ignites Ill. community
Pakistan jails 6 Germans over 'terror ties': report
Pakistani villagers bury dead as bomb toll hits 40
College band musicians suspended in hazing probe
Multinationals break Vietnam law in formula sales
Thai protesters mark anniversary of 2006 coup
Obama extends greetings on Muslim holiday
AP NewsAlert
Toughest test coming up for health care overhaul
Taliban leader tells US, NATO to study history
NJ police: Dad tells 4-year-old cocaine is candy
Pakistan: Mumbai suspects to be charged soon
Obama rolling into week of high diplomatic stakes
ADM's price fixing movie opens in firm's hometown
A look at members of the Senate Finance Committee
Movie on price fixing opens in ADM's hometown
Germany's beer festival kicks off
Precious wins top Toronto film festival prize
| Entertainment
|
White Stripes get personal in new film documentary
| Entertainment
|
CIA expanding presence in Afghanistan: report
France's trial of the decade kicks off
Thousands in Spain protest Opel job cuts
Sticky U.S.-Japan issues loom for Hatoyama in New York
| International
|
Eight migrants drown off Morocco: officials
Taliban leader Omar says foreign troops face defeat
Uighur film to show in Taiwan, testing China
| International
|
Obama to hold joint meeting with Netanyahu, Abbas
Captured Pakistani militant dies of wounds
| International
|
China wants more transparency in anti-graft drive
| International
|
Colombia softens stance on rebel hostage releases
| International
|
Japanese conductor wins French competition
Battle for Nina Wang's estate mesmerizes Hong Kong
Taliban leader tells 'invaders' to study history
Thaksin supporters vow new protests in Thailand
Obama to meet Netanyahu, Abbas
U. of Texas gets AP photojournalist's $7M archive
White House scouts possible Obama Copenhagen visit
Ill. scientist dies, possible plague bacteria link
Experts: Defense in Yale killing has tough job
Bombs, vid of exploding turtle found in NY search
Gates lashes out at critics of U.S. missile plan
Woman's stabbed body found at Central Park hotel
NY nuke plant siren mistakenly warns of emergency
Obama, family out in Georgetown
China spending to continue despite fears: experts
Fed expected to hold steady to back fragile recovery
30 Rock and Mad Men out to defend Emmy trophies
| Entertainment
|
Precious wins top Toronto film festival prize
| Entertainment
|
Car lovers start to dream again at Frankfurt show
"30 Rock" and "Mad Men" out to defend Emmy trophies
'Little Berlin', tiny German village divided by Wall
Heidi Fleiss loses Las Vegas dog grooming business
Riot of styles as London Fashion Week heats up
Atty: Estate deal possible in Michael Jackson case
"Precious" wins top Toronto film festival prize
Munich beer festival kicks off
Vancouver won't crack down on minor t-shirt dissent in venues
"White Stripes" get personal in new film documentary
Crisis still grips Ukraine amid IMF jitters
Khamenei slams Israel, West in holy Eid sermon
Yemen army 'kills 140 Shiite rebels' in north
SA govt wants athletics chief fired over Semenya
Kremlin says Israel promised not to strike Iran
| International
|
Yemen president says rebels use human shields
| International
|
U.N. confident Afghan vote resolved before winter
| International
|
Al Qaeda threatens Germany in second online video
| International
|
Foreign media poisoning Iran's atmosphere: Khamenei
| International
|
Somali rebel leader calls for more suicide attacks
| International
|
Juanes concert in Cuba readies for big crowd
| International
|
Anglican Church leader concerned about Iraq's Camp Ashraf
| International
|
German party says coalition with Merkel only option
| International
|
Three Afghans arrested in US attack probe
US serviceman killed in helicopter crash
2 Colorado men, 1 NYC man arrested in terror probe
Obama, Netanyahu, Abbas to meet amid tensions
Suspect in 4 Va. killings posted violent rap songs
Thailand's 81-year-old king hospitalized
China slams Taiwan city over Uighur film screening
US defense chief defends shift on missile shield
Stateless boy 3rd in Japan paper airplane contest
Captured Pakistan Taliban leader 'dies of injuries'
Aides: Paterson urged to reconsider NY gov race
Three suspects arrested in U.S. terrorism probe
Uighur film to show in Taiwan, angering China
Magnitude-5.1 earthquake in Mexico felt in Calif.
Japan may provide more aid to Afghanistan
Captured Pakistan Taliban commander dies in jail
Thai leader calls for peace after activists' clash
Thaksin supporters vow new protests in Thailand
Philippine troops clash with Abu Sayyaf militants
India's central bank faces tricky balancing act
Taiwan govt to 'take over' high-speed rail: report
China: Profit at state companies down last year
S.Korea's Lee asks G20 for "well-sequenced" exit strategies
TV series shows broken New Jersey city fighting back
| Entertainment
|
Lebanese critics blast Israeli director's 'Lebanon'
Iranian filmmaker hits out at Tehran regime
Britons find home is where the honey is
New social network with French touch unfurls in Brazil
Child misery behind Pakistan's festive bangles
Real-life 'superheroes' take to the streets in US
Kenya rainmakers called to the rescue
SKorea readies 'Asia's best track' for F1 debut
Where have east Germany's women gone?
Beyonce to perform in Malaysia despite dress code
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights