In a world where there is so much negativity, it is so easy to feel hopeless. Superheroes have become a way for me to escape from it all. They fill me with hope.
DISCLAIMER: The characters below are superheroes in their own right. I only highlight their sexual orientation because up until recently, LGBTQIA+ people couldn't be superheroes, at least not in the way that these shows portray them-- as real human beings with personal struggles and weaknesses but with strengths and admirable attributes as well. Queer people are not just victims or criminals. They can be anything and they most definitely can be superheroes.
Avatar Korra
The Legend of Korra is a sequel series to the critically acclaimed children's animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender. Like its predecessor, the show follows a mystical, super-powered being known as the Avatar, master of all four elements, whose responsibility it is to restore and maintain balance in the world. The Avatar is a symbol of unity among the four nations-- Earth Kingdom, Air Nomads, Water Tribes and the Fire Nation. Being part spirit, they are also the bridge to the spirit world. Korra is the latest in a long line of Avatars spanning over thousands of years history. I admire her for her ferocity and resilience.
Korra spent all of her childhood in isolation from the outside world because of the Red Lotus-- a terrorist organization bent on destroying the Avatar once and for all. Once she became of age, she left her home in search of adventure and purpose. At the start of her journey, she is arrogant, brash and impulsive. By the end of the show, she matures into a passionate, fearless leader. Being the global symbol of hope and peace has it's toll and it definitely took a lot out of Korra.
She endured physical trauma and PTSD after nearly losing her life in a battle to the very organization that tried to take her life when she was a baby. She endured immense loss after her uncle severed her connection to her past lives. Even after rescuing Republic City on multiple occasions, she was scorned by government officials and the general public. But seeing her come out even stronger at the end of it all was just so beautiful to watch. She inspired me to never give up and taught me that moments of suffering can make us better in the long run. In her own words, "I needed to understand what real suffering was, so I could become more compassionate to others."
Despite all of the obstacles thrown at her, Korra never backed down. She fought hard to restore balance and did so all while being a bisexual icon!
Adora (aka She-Ra, The Princess of Power)
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is a Netflix reboot of the original 1980s animated television show She-Ra: Princess of Power. The show takes place on the world of Etheria, a magical planet rich with supernatural energy and under siege by the evil Horde army. Adora is raised as a child soldier for the Horde army. Her life changes forever when she finds the Sword of Power and uncovers her true destiny. Over the course of the show Adora learns more about her alter ego identity She-Ra-- a warrior princess with great power who fights on behalf of Etheria. She struggles to fit into her alter ego's role because she doesn't think she's strong enough, but she eventually realizes that her true strengths lie within in herself and not in her powers.
There are so many things I admire about Adora. I admire her loving spirit and her passion for justice. You will not find anyone as persistent as Adora. She fiercely loves those she cares about and will not just let them go even to the point of sacrificing her own life. With the ongoing war against the Horde army, Adora refuses to give up. There are times when all hope seems lost, but even in those moments, Adora finds a way to break through. I also admire how she puts others' needs before her own. Sometimes it comes at the expense of her own wellbeing, but it shows character. She's selfless as all heroes should be.
Her relentless loving nature and persistence are her most defining traits. She inspired me to never give up and she reminded me that we all have the power within us to do the things we dream of.
Thanks for reading! I recommend watching these shows for yourselves so that you can experience them for all that they are worth. I will definitely be writing more about them in future blog posts.
If you have any questions, comments, concerns and/or suggestions, please let me know at this link.
A previous version of this post contained a broken link. The link in question has been restored effective 1/24/2024.
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