Did You Know The Bay Area Has Its Own Superhero?

Credit: The Crimson Fist

Since the pandemic, a lot of rightwing pundits have compared San Francisco and Oakland to Gotham City, and these comparisons are meant to disparage the Bay Area. But what if we’re like Gotham in a good way? What if our streets are patrolled by actual superheroes? Not rich guys with masks like Batman who were created to subconsciously make the middle and working classes accept the idea of elites taking justice into their own hands as a way to guarantee law and order, but a man of the people whose superpowers are equal parts mutual aid and martial arts? 

Well, I’ve got good news for you. We do have that, and their name is the Crimson Fist!

I know it’s hard to imagine in the age of internet-induced sociopathy that there are people out there who still give a shit about the greater good. While most of us just want to get home after a long day of work, the Crimson Fist and other superheroes like them go to places that need protection the most. It’s not a secret that America’s Chinatowns and the general Asian community has been hit hard by a wave of anti-Asian hate, this unfortunate trend has reared its ugly head multiple times in the Bay Area.

While most people momentarily feel bad when they see footage of elders in the Asian community attacked, very rarely do people feel inspired enough to do something about it. But some people do, heroes like the Crimson Fist have gone on Chinatown patrols in cities like Oakland and San Francisco to ensure safety in the community and deter potential troublemakers. 

But intimidation and deterrence is only one side of the coin. Sometimes heroism isn’t walking with the vulnerable in rough neighborhoods, it’s responding at a moment’s notice in a time of need.

When a river flooded near sprawling unhoused encampments in San Jose, heroes like The Crimson Fist rushed from their secret superhero lair in an undisclosed location down to the South Bay where people were at risk of drowning and did what no cop ever seems to do: helped the unhoused in a humane way. 

While some may laugh at the idea of real world superheroes, the communities they serve are often grateful. For example, as a result of their efforts in Oakland’s Chinatown, the Crimson Fist received an award from the Oakland City Council for their effort in keeping Oakland safe for the Asian Community. 

But the Crimson Fist can’t save the Bay Area alone, more heroes are needed. And honestly what’s cooler than wearing a costume and saving the world? Don’t have a costume? Make some shit up. For example, my superhero name would be the Obese Broom because I’m fat but I clean up nice. I’m also kinda dusty. Naturally I’d tape brooms to myself, and say shit like “it’s a sweep” as my catchphrase.

See? Have fun with it. 

At the end of the day, the superheroes we hear about in comics are aspirational. They’re what we want to be in an unjust world. But the world is made up of us, and it’s our job to make it just. We have to save ourselves.

You don’t have to be super to be a hero, all you have to do is try. And trying to make the world a better place is the most heroic thing you can do. 

It’s… super heroic. 

SUBSCRIBE TO MY SUBSTACK HERE

FOLLOW MY WRITING ON INSTAGRAM HERE

FOLLOW BAY AREA MEMES ON FACEBOOK HERE

FOLLOW BAY AREA MEMES ON INSTAGRAM HERE

PURCHASE MY BOOK HERE