This longread studies the '80s action hero in Streets of Rage 4 and similar media —how they cultivates heroic bodies that uphold the status quo, which polices bodies in media more generally. Apart from an introduction and conclusion, there are three main sections: Part 1: Criticizing Heroes Part 2: Room for Heroes? Part 3: Marginalized Bodies Note: This piece was originally written in 8/4/2021; i.e., as part of my now-discontinued book, Neoliberalism in Yesterday's Heroes . In the past, I've released pieces of "Policing Bodies" for public consumption (re: exhibit 34c2, " Fatal Homecomings "). However, it also mentions during the " All the World " book promotion, the last one for Sex Positivity (2023). To celebrate, I've finally just decided to release "Policing Bodies" as is. —Perse, 5/5/2025 P.S., I never got around to adding photos for it; I will add some soon! Introduction "I want a hero," said Lord Byron's D...
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