Over the last decade, I interviewed @ChrisEvans on the set of every Captain America film.

Often an actor brings their own spirit or personality to a character. This time, the humane ideals of that hero gradually became a part of Chris.

1/ https://ew.com/movies/2019/04/11/captain-america-chris-evans-set-visits/

You can see in that series of interviews how much thought he put into Cap’s beliefs.

These were comic book movies. Escapism. But Cap’s creators, Joe Simon & Jack Kirby, and later Stan Lee saw meaning in this personification of America’s promise and ideals.

Chris did, too.

After our interviews, sometimes Chris and I would talk about politics or the news, especially over the past few years.

He took a risk speaking out. He attracted the rage of some of the most vile people in the world. https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/02/chris-evans-takes-on-david-duke-twitter

What’s the value of an actor speaking his mind?

It inspires. It sets an example. It mainstreams decency.

If a guy like that can step up, maybe we can do the same with that racist cousin at Thanksgiving, or the high school friend dropping slurs on Facebook.

The opposite is staying quiet. Not wanting to rock the boat. Not wanting to seem like an alarmist. Not wanting to alienate some fans.

Read to the end of this brief passage to discover what becomes of those who say nothing, who lay low.

“A poor kind of hero...”

I’m tweeting this because @ChrisEvans has launched A Starting Point ( @ASP) to help Americans sort through various political perspectives.

That sounds boring — this is better:

He’s giving people a place to figure out where they stand. https://people.com/movies/chris-evans-new-website-is-here-what-to-know-about-a-starting-point/

I decided I wasn’t just going to tweet about movies, or TV, or make little jokes. Maybe that would alienate people. Maybe I’d seem strident or irritating.

But I would be myself. I’d use whatever small platform I have for some kind of good.

Respect to anyone who does the same.

So today I wanted to shout out @ChrisEvans, an actual good guy, and put this resource for voters out there.

Superheroes aren’t real. No one is perfect. But stories and characters like Captain America help model ideals.

Ideals are a north star that give us a path, even if we can never actually reach it.

I know, that’s corny.

I’m just glad that the guy who plays Cap actually believes in what he stands for.