Heroes
December 7, 2009
The etymology of “hero” means protector and defender. The meaning of heroism usually includes the notion taking of risks, sometimes the ultimate risk of losing one’s life in order to protect someone. A hero is also inspiring, an example to follow and someone to be admired.Heroes sometime fall and disappoint us. Tiger Woods is the latest example. Rabbi Benjamin Blech asks the pertinent question: “Does morality play a role in the way we judge people…..?” I believe it does or at least it should because it is character that defines who a person is. We may appreciate someone’s gifts or art and yet not consider them as heroes or models because of the way they conduct their lives.
Two weeks ago CNN aired a special program called Heroes-Everyday People Changing the World. It was truly inspiring to hear and see the story of ten (non-celebrity) individuals who had accomplished great things in service to others. It is interesting to note that none of the winners thought of themselves as heroes. It is usually the case with real heroes.
Among the 10 heroes were:
• Efren Penaflorida from the Philippines who refused to join a gang when he was 16 years old, at the risk of losing his life but instead decided to devote his life to educating street kids living in the slumps. His has educated more the 1,500 children, teaching them how to read and write with a pushcart classroom.
• Brad Blauser, a civilian contractor in Iraq quite his job to spend his life delivering free wheelchairs to Iraqi children. His Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids program has distributed close to 650 wheelchairs so far. Brad is risking his life everyday doing why he knows is the right thing to do for him.
• Betty Makoni from Zimbabwe was raped at the age of six and not allowed, by her mother, to report the crime. Her tragic experience has led her to create the Girl Child Network who has provided a safe haven for more than 35,000 young victims of sexual abuse. She is speaking out against the so-called “virgin myth” that have people believe that a man with HIV or AIDS can be cured if he rapes a virgin.
These people and hundreds of thousands others like them have found a profound meaning in their lives.
We may not, because of our circumstances be given the opportunity to spend the rest of our lives doing such great things (although we should not close the door of our minds and heart to such a possibility.)
However we may face situations in our present private and professional lives where a punctual “heroic” action is called for. Sometimes “doing the right thing” involves taking risks and bearing a cost.
As Bob Dylan once said:
“I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.”
Comments (3)
December 9th, 2009 at 3:06 am Posted by Brad Blauser
Hi Emmanuel! Thanks for including me in your story above.
I can tell you that none of the 10 invited to the show felt as if they are doing anything above and beyond. It’s as if we are all just doing what we see needs to be done. Someone has to do it, and we are the ones nearest to the situation to provide the solution.
As Efren said in his speech, everyone has the potential to step in and be the hero, as there are opportunities all around. It just takes action and determination to provide the solution to the problem. As Nike would say, “Just do it”!
Brad
December 9th, 2009 at 11:38 pm Posted by Michelle Ma
I completely agree.
In the past people had primitive strategies of boosting people up to be supermen, titans. It would be nice if disputes could be settled with duels like that.
But sometimes people don’t want to be forced into such dangerous and awful positions.
Union and companionship are at the very core of being, the technique of sociality is innate. Birds of a feather flock together.
December 15th, 2009 at 6:29 pm Posted by Priya
It’s so interesting that you pose the question, “does morality play a role in the way we judge people?” because it’s something that I am trying to figure out.
I read an article this morning that said that Tiger Woods isn’t going to be dropped from endorsing Nike because, in the realm of golf, his status hasn’t dropped. If people respect Tiger for being a good golfer, should they take into consideration his indiscretions as a husband? In Bill Clinton’s case, it seemed like the public didn’t really care what the president did on his own time just as long as he was a good leader.
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