on Violence

A few weeks ago I was trying to rationalize my desire to see the new Batman film in the wake of the Aurora, Colorado tragedy.Why entertain myself with violence, when it's so sad in reality?I have always been a fan of Batman. Comics anchored me during the storms of adolescence, and I took from them the idea that whatever life's circumstances, I should have faith in justice. I spent many 5th grade afternoons soaking in the stories of greatness, honor, and beauty.Last weekend, I was out with a friend and we were involved in a very minor car accident - a taxi stopped abruptly in front of us, and we rear-ended it. As we paused to exchange information with the driver, a passenger got out of the taxi and instigated an argument with us, and then hit me. A fight broke out, and when the police arrived, the taxi driver gave a statement that his passenger had initiated the conflict, and he was put in handcuffs and arrested.This is not the kind of thing that happens to me on a regular basis - but it reminded me, after wondering earlier about the purpose of violent stories like Batman, that violence is real. It really happens to people, even when they aren't looking for it.  Stories like Batman remind us that there are people who will use violence as a tool for self-validation (criminals) and there are people who use it (correctly) in defense of the rest of us.When the Colorado shooter's infatuation with Batman was reported, I worried about potential blame being placed on the film for the unfathomably ugly crime.I was relieved that most of the discourse taking place after the tragedy shared my sentiment - that Batman is an expression of hope and good, and can not be held responsible for murder and despair.