APRIL 12 — Growing up, I’ve always loved super-hero comic books and TV shows. As a girl who grew up in a loving home with hard-working parents but didn’t understand the discrimination she faced at school and sometimes on the streets, the idea of human beings with powers to do what they could to change the situation was a very attractive premise.
Today, of course, I understand that what I had experienced growing up in a town in southern Johor was a reflection of where the country has become today. Through the lens of a 35-year-old, I recognise privilege and discrimination for what they are, I understand I have the power to do something about things I’m unhappy with, and I realise that there’s no such thing as black or white when it comes to people.
But… I’ve never stopped loving the idea of having super-heroes around us. So, in addition to my favourite super-heroes in comics and movies, I want to take this space to give a nod to a few not-so-obvious super-heroes who live and work among us.
The street cleaner: This super-hero cleans the streets tirelessly, from morning to evening. It’s a frustrating job as people keep littering mindlessly instead of just tossing that piece of paper in the bin right there, but she keeps cleaning regardless. This super-hero also has the power to be invisible because not many people see her as clearly as they should, but she’s there, cleaning the streets, day after day.
The construction worker: Vision 2020 is right around the corner and that means more shiny beautiful buildings for us to look up and admire. That also means that some people actually have to build those buildings. These people are super-heroes because they have the courage to scale up tall heights to keep adding more levels to half-constructed buildings and have the strength to work those long hours and do the heavy lifting that construction demands, all for not much money to boot.
The security guard: She works to keep you and your premises safe. She’s brave because she puts her life on the line for you every day, but gets paid very little despite it. She is often abused and scolded by her employer, customers and clients, yet she still has a smile on her face most days.
Your server at the local 24-hour restaurant: He is on his feet, running around, taking orders, delivering orders, re-arranging tables, cleaning, and that’s all done in 10 minutes. He is a super-hero because he is able to remember all your orders, crunch numbers in his head, dash about at lightning speed, and do the same for 12 hours at a stretch. Sometimes, he may be a little grumpy but honestly, that’s not a requirement for super-hero standing anyway.
The house-keeper: She cooks, cleans, washes and cares for your family and possibly your pets as well. She’s expected to be up by 5am in most households and only allowed rest at night after dinner is done and the kids are in bed. Despite her tiredness, she is always expected to have a smile on her face and look pleasant. While we look forward to our weekends, she only has one off-day a month to have some personal space. She’s a super-hero because she does the best she can to keep our homes spick and span, working to put food on the table for HER loved ones back home, wherever they are.
And before I end, a shout-out to a few super-heroes that we all know and remember:
1. Our parents and guardians — They raised us and did the best they could to provide us with opportunities to be better human beings.
2. The fire department — They save people from fires and save little dogs from danger. A definite WIN.
3. Teachers — Try teaching a class of 40 10-year-olds who won’t stop talking, with a pile of paperwork on your desk to handle later, a dance to choreograph for the school concert, a meeting until 5pm and the upcoming Sports Day to plan for, all in the same day.
4. Nurses
5. The men and women who fix our roads
And many more.
Not forgetting, the four-legged security guards who love and protect us and our homes.
As I look forward to catching my favourite super-heroes in the upcoming “Avengers” movie out later this month, I’m reminded that we all have within us the power to make a difference for others, whoever we are and wherever we are in society.
* This is the view of the individual and not necessarily the opinion of Malay Mail Online.
