Don’t Hide Your Superpower Behind Your Alter Ego

Superhero fiction has been popular since at least the 1930s. There is something quite comforting in the idea that a hero will save the day in adverse situations.  

Yet so many well-known fictional superheroes hide behind their alter egos to fit into society, acting modest and unassuming. 

Superman = Clark Kent
Wonder Woman = Diana Prince
Spiderman = Peter Parker
Batman = Bruce Wayne
The Incredible Hulk = Bruce Banner

Some autistic people believe that they consider their neurodivergence to be their superpower.

"Autism is my superpower, what's yours?" - Alexa Lauenburger
"Being different is a superpower." - Greta Thunberg

 Just like superheroes, we too hide behind a more socially accepted identity, camouflaging in order to fit in and feel a sense of belonging. Masking can take many forms, such as imitation or acting the way that we feel that we should in a particular environment. It can become exhausting and lead to burnout.

 Maybe we should be portraying our true selves and be proud of our superpowers.  After all, in the case of Superman for example, the title of the comic book is not Clark Kent.