One of my favorite heroes of all time is Captain America. I always felt he would defend me – he always defended the weak. He was kind and gentle. He always did what was right. But the most important lesson Captain America taught me was to have black friends. When I was a kid reading comics, it was important for me to see Captain America and Falcon working together. They were friends. In the 1970’s of Shreveport, Louisiana you never saw white people hanging out with black people. In my comics is was OK to have black friends. Captain America and Falcon defended the weak no matter who they were. In high school, I ate lunch with my black friends no matter what my white classmates said. It was what Captain America would have done. Today, it is important for me to see Sam Wilson as Captain America.

Do Acts of Goodness

“Captain will help anyone a friend or a stranger; Now number one without a gun he’s bypassed the Lone Ranger; He’s a do do good who loves apple pie and kisses little babies; He’ll guard you against everything from atom bombs to rabies.” - Jimmy Buffett *

Steve Rogers, Captain America an American Icon. He is just as popular as Uncle Sam and Rosie the Riveter. He has been drawn and written as the cornerstone of the American people and/or the hokey Boy Scout with the idealistic optimism of America. No matter what, no matter how idealistic or hokey the creators write Captain America one thing is always certain – he will be there to help. He will always do what’s right and help who ever is in need. Fighting the good fight.

Acts of goodness isn’t always just helping. Sometimes it is helping someone we don’t want to help. The neighbor that plays their music too loud, the fellow coworker that complains all the time, and the odd-looking kid in the neighborhood all will need help one day. If help is offered maybe we can heal the bruised relationship. Maybe they will be present when we need help? When we act out of goodness only good can come from the act. It may only be inside our hearts but we know we did good work and helped someone in need. These maybe “hokey” and “idealistic” thoughts but when some one helps us we feel good. Repay that goodness by helping someone in turn.

Captain America
First Appearance: Timely’s Captain America #1, March 1941

Creators: Joe Simon (writer), Jack Kirby (art)

* “Captain America”, by Jimmy Buffett, Down To Earth, 1970