Superheroes · Brojo: The Integrity Army

Superheroes

The recent conversation between Dan and Teagan, about her relationship with Jackson Noble, kick-started a stream of thought for me around gender roles.

I’ve been pondering how our childhood experiences play a part in how we frame these roles as adults, and how this impacts our relationships. I’ve also been thinking about this in the context of Brojo: why is it that I’ve always felt more comfortable in a male-dominated space?

Thinking back to the heroes of popular culture that I gravitated to as a child, they were all male.

I was fascinated by Batman’s secret lives, and envied Knight Rider’s speed and swagger. I watched wide-eyed as Mac discovered yet another way to use his MacGyver tape to get him out of a tricky spot.

None of these guys ever knocked my #1 off his perch though. Still my favourite hero, I love everything about Indiana Jones: his intellect and charm, his dry humour as he stares down the barrel of a booby trap, and his epic leaps of faith.

While many of the girls at my primary school spent weekends inside, dressing their dolls, I was out with my brother exploring the neighbourhood on our bikes, picnic lunches in our backpacks.

It seems that early on, I decided that playing princesses was boring. What do you learn about yourself or the world by sitting around with a box of miniature outfits? How many times can you dress a Barbie anyway?

While many of my adult female peers sit around, priding themselves on their prejudice towards “old, white men”, here I am learning survival skills at Brojo, where I belong.

Thanks guys.

19 comments