Nar’s Nerd Worship: ShadowHare

Years ago I did a radio campaign for my hometown Cincinnati called “Don’t Trash The ‘Nati.” Y’know, pretty much a “keep your city clean and take pride in your town” kind-of-deal. It was fun and it made me feel good to spread an important message — but, umm, yeah… That was a voice over job. There’s a whole new level of community service in The ‘Nati now… 

His name is ShadowHare.

By now you all know him from the internet buzz and CNN news story. He’s a 21-year-old who dons a costume and patrols the streets of Cincy with pepper spray and handcuffs. His identity is unknown, although it is revealed in a local news story on Cincinnati’s WLWT that he suffered child abuse and was raised as a foster child. From the interview with WLWT:

“My message to Cincinnati is that there is still hope and all we have to do is stand together.”

Shadow Hare is not alone in his quest to fight crime. He heads up a group of men — and one woman — called the “Allegiance of Heroes.” The members communicate with each other in online forums. Among the members are Aclyptico in Pennsylvania, Wall Creeper in Colorado and Master Legend in Florida.

“I’ve even teamed up with Mr. Extreme in California — San Diego — and we were trying to track down a rapist,” said Shadow Hare.

ShadowHare is part of a growing movement in America of Real Life Superheroes (RLSH) who wish to make an impact on their communities by conducting public safety patrols, charity work, and well — crime fighting.

Read more and watch the video interviews after the jump…

From ShadowHare’s blog: 

I know we have inspired so many people. We’ve fed about 27 homeless people. But the thing is there is so much more work to be done as a team.

… And as for anyone else reading this, we have just gotten started, we are nowhere near over yet. We will fight tooth and nail to make this world a much better place. 

Here’s what’s great about ShadowHare: he’s sincerely trying to inspire people to make the world better. Where does that start? In the local community. Some people start community gardens, mentor a child, work at a soup kitchen — and some people dress up in costumes and conduct safety patrols. That’s frakkin’ awesome.

“I’m not doing this for publicity. I’m doing this for justice — a justice long since forgotten,” Shadow Hare said.

Real Life Superheroes subject themselves to public ridicule and media scrutiny (the teabags on WLWT laugh at Shadow Hare on camera).

Not to mention the fact that they can get seriously hurt. ShadowHare dislocated a shoulder while helping a woman who was being attacked. In both cases, it takes courage. RLSHs do it because they believe they can be a symbol to others — to remind them that there’s a hero in everyone, and everyone is capable of making the world better.

Anyone who thinks ShadowHare and his Allegiance of Heroes are losers/idiots/insane: you can suck it. I hope you enjoy your life of cynical douchebaggery. For the rest of us, there is the Superhero Creed (no costume required)…

Allegiance assemble!