Stephanie Brown is still trying to prove everyone wrong. A college student like me and my classmates, Stephanie Brown has very little in common with us apart from that. After all, who amongst us has had to don a cape and costume to spoil the crimes of our father? Who amongst has fought at Batman's side as Robin? And I for one have never had to step into the very large boots of Batgirl (large even for me, with my overly large feet).
Despite this very impressive resumé, Stephanie is forever trying to silence the doubters. During her time as the vigilante called Spoiler, in spite of her association with Batman and Robin, the Dynamic Duo were constantly discouraging her from her chosen 'extracurricular activity'; fighting crime was a noble pursuit, but it was strictly for the professionals, not teenage girls. Even when Stephanie temporarily replaced Tim Drake as Robin she was constantly pressed by Batman to give up. Recently Stephanie became the newest Batgirl, and even then is met with obstacles in the form of the Bat-family, in this case Barbara Gordon (the original Batgirl), who still won't forgive Stephanie for mistakes she made as the Spoiler. Stephanie's role as the newest Batgirl comes only after her fairly recent 'return from the grave'...her death being faked by a doctor who also thought that she was setting a bad example by wearing a costume and fighting crime.
Yes, Stephanie Brown is a teenage girl...she is also a superhero. Can the two not go hand in hand? There has been issue taken throughout the years with the fact that Batman takes Robin as a teen sidekick, but the conflict seems to be multiplied several times when it comes to Stephanie (please make this a discussion of feminism, I dare you). At first it seems that the problem with her choice of heroism is the fact that she is a girl. A majority of the opposition to what she does comes from Tim Drake, who eventually becomes her boyfriend. Is this just another case of a boyfriend attempting to protect his girlfriend? Probably. Is that so wrong? During one of the many confrontations between the two in regards to this issue, Spoiler points out that danger is merely an occupational hazard.
As mentioned in the panels above, danger isn't something that any (sane) superhero seeks out, but it is something that is a part of what they do. In the fight between good and evil, evil doesn't wear kid gloves. Anyone standing up for what they believe in (real life or comic books) is liable to get hurt in some way. Does that mean we should back down? I think not. Stephanie Brown agrees with me. Throughout constant adversity, from her allies and enemies both, she continues to fight for what she believes in. She is coming from a slightly unusual position in that she is a girl and a teenager. However, she doesn't let this stop her, instead choosing to not let anyone look down on her because she is young, but instead setting an example for others in life and speech (as 1 Timothy 4:12 tells us to do).
While I understand where Batman, Robin, and Barbara Gordon are coming from (I would probably take their side in such a situation, my natural instinct being to prevent a girl from having to fight), I think Stephanie is right. No she is not perfect, she is not Batman, but she does have talent, and it would be a crime for her to not use it. Like I pointed out in my post about Spider-Man and responsibility, the Bible tells us that to whom much is entrusted, much will be expected (Luke 12:48). Stephanie may not have the powers of a spider, or any other sort of superpowers, but there is much that she does have. She has a heart that is in the right place and a desire to do good. Sadly, not everyone is blessed with these gifts. Those that are should fulfill their responsibility and stand up for what is right. It is pathetic how few people do this, so if Stephanie Brown or anyone in my life wants to do that, I will support it. We may not be gifted with any sort of superpowers or have the money to buy expensive crime-fighting gadgets like Batman, but what we do have is a conscience. As Christians, we should use this conscience to bring about good, rather than using the excuses that Paul rebukes in 1 Timothy 4:12. Perhaps we have more in common with Stephanie Brown than it seems. 'Nuff Said!
-Cable
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