Crusaders Don’t Always Have Capes

How to recognize heroes in disguise

I was at a memorial service for a well-known journalist about a year ago and I slowly realized that the room was filled with many of the best journalists in Washington. These were stars and legends, and some personal heroes, people who have risked their lives and careers to document wrongdoing by people with the power and inclination to fight back. The group gathered for the service included winners of every journalism award. Their writings set the professional standard to which young reporters aspire.

But for some, their shimmering talents were hidden beneath rumpled, ill-fitting clothes and bad haircuts.

They looked like, well, me, and my neighbors.

And that was something of a revelation, because if my heroes — who I know have super powers — are regular-looking folks, than all the jowly, disheveled or just plain weird looking people on the streets may be heroes in disguise too.

Some might be surgeons or air traffic controllers or have other skills that are crucial to society. When dedicated people work at something for a long time two things happen. First, they often become so skilled that its impossible to grasp their level of achievement without having expertise in that field. The second thing that happens is they get old.

So now, when I meet someone of a certain age, or just see older people on the street, I try to see their appearance as a disguise that hides remarkable power worthy of a shimmering super-hero costume, as long as it isn’t too tight.