"Part: 16 Listen to Michael Davis's In Search Of Heroes Interview" by Ralph Zuranski
Click Here to listen to Micael's In Search Of Heroes Interview
www.TheGuardianLine.com
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Ralph Zuranski: You know, it’s funny. How does it feel to be recognized as a social hero? Because I’m recognizing you right now.
Michael Davis: I don’t know. As much smack as I talk, Ralph, I really am humble when it comes to talking about this sort of stuff. I’ll tell you just how. Years ago I had an auditorium named after me. It was a very big honor. They had a marching band there, they had all this stuff, they had these dignitaries and mayors and the governor. I only invited one person to come with me. You know, usually you invite fifty people to sit in the front row so you can have your moment.
My mother calls me now when she sees something in the newspaper and she’ll ask, “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
“I don’t know. A guy just called me up and he wanted to interview me.”
Here’s what I do know. I feel honored and privileged to be able to talk directly to the kids and to the parents of the kids who are going to be reading this. Hopefully I didn’t embarrass myself too much. I feel honored that you would say that and I feel a great pride to be grouped with the other people I’ve read about on your site. Very impressive.
Ralph Zuranski: The most important thing is making a positive difference in the lives of others. It’s really true that a hero is someone who has given their life to something bigger than themselves and they do the right thing when no one is watching.
Michael Davis: Absolutely, yes. I feel that exact same way. Absolutely.
Ralph Zuranski: How will being recognized as a hero change your life since you’re constantly creating heroes and illustrating them? How do you think being a real life hero will change your creation of the heroes you create with your art?
Michael Davis: I don’t really think it will change me at all at any level. If you love what you do, like I do, you’re pretty much content with your station in life. If I was never recognized and I could do what I’m doing, I’d be okay with that.
As a matter of fact, it’s funny. We did a Guardian Line preview book. I did all the characters, I created all of the story lines, I created the universe, I created the city. But in the Guardian Line preview book my name isn’t mentioned once. Someone said, “Why isn’t your name mentioned?” And I said, “I don’t know.” It’s just not a big thing to me.
I’m just glad to do what I do. I’m a very lucky individual. Luckier than some, not as lucky as others. But I’m okay with my station in life.
Ralph Zuranski: Do you have any good solutions to the problems facing society, especially racism, child and spousal abuse, and violence among young people?
Michael Davis: I don’t know if they are solutions but I certainly have opinions. I think a lot of the stuff we’re involved in, a lot of what you mentioned, are parental problems. Upbringing problems. I grew up in a horrendous neighborhood but I turned out okay because my mother, who was working two jobs, found a way to take care of me. She never complained. She just did it.
Men who beat women or women who beat men should be punched in the head on national TV. I really think people should be held responsible for their actions. I’m pretty much a liberal Democrat in most things in my life except when it comes to crime. Especially against women, because I have personal issues with that because of what happened to my sister and my grandmother. I really think people should be absolutely made to take responsibility for their lives.
I think society at certain levels should stop making excuses for bad behavior. You know and I know when something is wrong. Most people know when something is wrong yet they do it anyhow. I think, and again, this may not be politically correct, but I think if you’re caught on tape committing a crime, there shouldn’t even be a trial. You see people on tape doing something horribly bad. You know it’s them and they know it’s them. Yet they plead not guilty! (Laughter)