Public Perceptions
- Raven
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
Public perception of the RLSH movement is going to be primarily based on 3 things: superficial perceptions, actions, and any known history. I'll go into a deeper dive, but first I want to cover these things.
Superficial Perceptions - This is what they can garner at first glance. Does the RLSH have a heroic appearance? Or, are they scary and off-putting? This is something to really take into consideration. What helps to prevent coming off as scary or off-putting? Here's a list:
Color
Being able to see the face or majority of the face
A smile
Willingness to be friendly first
Protective & helpful nature
Actions - These are the actions that one may see right away. The public won't know your history or anything about you, so your immediate actions are going to be judged. This is why the RLSH push for everyone to have de-escalation training and first aid-cpr-aed training, no matter what type of work you do. It also helps to keep a positive nature in the public eye: be helpful, be positive, people may ask for photos, and always try to be helpful.
Known History - If the public has any knowledge of the RLSH movement, it will probably be very limited. The public does tend to remember bad things more than good, so there are chances that they might only remember the Phoenix Jones debacle. In cities where HOPE events have taken place or where active RLSH are, there may be an increase of public awareness.
Let's get into it.
Public awareness of the RLSH is mostly none. Those that do know about RLSH are mostly positive due to our history, positivity, and outreach. Those who know about RLSH and have a negative awareness factor tend to have that based on negative news, negative social media presence, see the RLSH as a joke (cosplay, fat nerds, etc), or have a criminal history.
We need to create a stronger public awareness of the RLSH in a positive light.
If we look at the current online presence for the RLSH, the majority of the action happens in guarded online communities. A lot of RLSH have social media profiles on places like facebook, bluesky, youtube, instagram, etc. Reddit is used, but very minimally. There are some RLSH websites.
There are some common negative perceptions out there for the RLSH movement. Fat nerds, comparisons to Phoenix Jones, being inefficient, and being wannabe ninjas are just the tip of the iceberg. The only way to power through these perceptions are to not be them. Don't want to be seen as a fat nerd? Great, hit the gym and eat right. You don't have to be a huge bodybuilder, but you can be fit and trim. Don't want to be like Phoenix Jones? That's easy: don't lie, don't assault people, don't break laws. Don't want to be inefficient? You have to get out there and do some good. Wannabe ninjas....I don't know any RLSH who are wannabe ninjas, so you're probably good.
The best way to correct negative perceptions is to have your actions speak for you. People notice good deeds. In fact, just to show you that this is true: In September 2025, Spider-Man of Greenville helped save 2 people from a downtown waterfall.
Licensed Characters
The RLSH using licensed characters as their RLSH personas run into a positive-negative issue. On one hand, they are easily recognizable as heroic figures; on the other hand, the public perception is that they're just a person in a costume (lack of accountability, no expectations of assistance, lack knowledge to be helpful). A lot of these types are perceived on the same level as the average cosplayer. If you choose to go this route, you may have to work harder to have a good public perception of RLSH activities.
Solutions
It wouldn't be a good post if I didn't offer some sort of solution.
Cohesive Uniform - Have a cohesive uniform. Design, colors, armor, etc. Color does help put people at ease, typically. There's a whole psychology of color aspect to consider (article).
Masks & Headgear - When it comes to masks and/or headgear, make sure you don't look like a "bad guy", make sure you can speak clearly, and make sure you can see properly.
Scheduled Patrols - Schedule some patrols. If you can make it to a HOPE event, great. If not, don't sweat it. Make sure you're doing good when you do go out and always try to be positive when dealing with people and media. Your actions speak louder than words.
Be Healthy - Hit the gym and try to eat a healthy diet. You might have big aspirations of winning a bodybuilding show or you might just want to be fit and trim. Whatever your goals are, you can do it (even if you have health issues). Other RLSH can help if you need it.
Community - Seek out the online community and take the chance to meet other RLSH in person for group patrols or event meet ups. It helps to talk to others with similar interests and hobbies. You'll gain knowledge, self-confidence, and ideas for gear.
Be Positive - Don't spread hate. If whatever your following has you hating any group of people, its a sign that it's a "hate group". Cut ties with that garbage and be a positive person. In front of the media and strangers, be positive. With your online and real life friends, be positive. It will get you farther in life than being hateful and negative.
Positive Perceptions - Actively try to create positive perceptions with people in your community. If you stop for coffee in RLSH uniform, be positive, use "please" and "thank you", and give a smile. Maybe you start a patrol blog (Blogger is free). Maybe you start a youtube channel. Actively try to create a better perception of the RLSH. What do you see out there that you like? What do you not like? How can you participate?
Arts & Culture - Another way to sway public perception could be through arts and cultural means: comic books, music, film, books/writing, art, fashion, design, etc.
The November "Notes From The Rooftops" will be about "a time you lent a hand" [as an RLSH]. Keep it to roughly 500 words. If you want to contribute (active or retired RLSH only), please send an email to Raven (raven@herocore.online). Currently, these are only coming out once a month. Deadline is the end of October.
On an entire other note, if you are an RLSH, please take a moment to fill out this RLSH 2025 Demographics Survey. It's anonymous. Just looking to gather some general information to study (data analysis is just something I like to do). It will end up becoming an article in the future (late-December or early-January).
NEW PROJECT. I'm starting a new RLSH Annual Comic Book Project. (tabs up top: Resources > Comic Book Project). This is a collection of short RLSH tales in an anthology type of graphic novel. Looking for artists, editors, and RLSH to share their stories. Deadline is Dec. 31.
If there is something you would like to see me discuss here on Herocore, please feel free to contact me.
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