What's Really Important Tired of Hearing the Word Hero Equated with Militarism?
Lately, and more than usual, I’ve heard the word hero being tossed about quite a lot. It most often seems to be associated with people who make war. Undoubtably it is at times of war, whether large or small, that we see this connection made more often. My father was in the Army Air Corp during World War II, and flew 50 combat missions over Europe as the Navigator in a B-17 named Pandora's Box, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with six clusters, and two Presidential Citations. Do I consider him a hero? You betcha! So though I can understand why we would consider such warriors heroes, I still have to wonder if war is the highest standard we wish to set when we presently think of that word?
As I look back at the very short history of so-called “civilized” mankind, I observe that history and mythology are replete with archetypical heroes, many or most whom were warriors, and again, most often in the military sense of the word – soldiers, battlefield commanders, and leaders. This was often back in the days when such leaders actually stood at the head of their armies and navies, and didn’t just sit in an office thousands of miles away and send others to do their fighting for them.
There were also those from various empires, civilizations, and tribes who were called warriors in the sense of having fought the personal battle of soul and spirit over lower mind and emotions. Among these are those who went on vision quests, long journeys into the wilderness, and fasted or completed various rituals in order to experience personal and spiritual transformation. Some even became teachers, shamans, saints, messiahs -- individuals who sometimes inspired others to create religions. Quite often these religions were flawed and very poor reflections of the actual experiences that inspired these heroes, but mankind seemed content to bask in the reflection of such achievement without having to actually emulate it. Many such religions have even been named after the heroes who inspired them. Most often these were the peacemakers, those inspiring others to rise above the lower impulses of anger, hatred, violence and control, but not always.
Who are the unsung heroes -- perhaps good parents, teachers, community leaders, friends and everyday people who have lived decent lives and made the world a better place for having done so? We’ve all at one time or other come across someone in our lives who made a difference, and became a hero to us. We have also been heroes to ourselves and others, but it may not be certain that we have recognized it, or taken the time to acknowledge ourselves in any way.
Recently, noted feminist Gloria Steinem, speaking before a Hillary Clinton rally in Austin, Texas, was making the case, according to the New York Observer, “that the media and political world are too admiring of militarism in all its guises.” She spoke of John McCain’s captivity during Vietnam, saying, “I mean, hello? This is supposed to be a qualification to be president? I don’t think so.” She stated to the Observer that, “from George Washington to Jack Kennedy and PT-109 we have behaved as if killing people is a qualification for ruling people.”
No doubt Steinem has been and will be attacked by all those believing this was an insult to John McCain and his service to the nation. I don’t believe it was her intent too belittle McCain, or to infer that he hadn't acted heroically. It’s my impression that, like myself, she was simply tired of hearing the words hero and military constantly linked in attempts to automatically qualify anyone for a position of high leadership. Can it help to have such service? Undoubtably. Is it necessary, or always preferable? Undoubtably not.
We presently live in a world which, viewed from afar, might appear perfectly insane. Here we are entering the 21st Century, and after 7000 or more years of fighting bitterly amongst ourselves, we are still at it. Homo sapiens faces various crises, including dwindling natural and energy resources, over population, hunger, disease, homelessness, toxic contamination of the air, water and earth, and the ultimate threats of nuclear holocaust and climate change triggered by global warming. And instead of rationally and definitively focusing on creatively and positively solving these problems, we are still waging and threatening to wage war all across the globe. Insane indeed, to say nothing of totally unproductive and self-destructive!
Perhaps it’s time for a new kind of hero. Perhaps it’s time for individuals more concerned about the welfare of the planet and other people than trying to accumulate the most power and “stuff” before they have to die and leave it all behind anyway. Perhaps it’s time to abandon the weary mantra that “every person has the opportunity to make it on their own,” and pay more attention to helping those who don’t seem able, for whatever reasons, to do just that. Maybe the time has come for each and every individual on this tiny, and very vulnerable planet, rushing headlong though the lonely, frigid vastness of space to realize we are all in the same boat, and basically wanting the same things --security, comfort, respect and love, and start becoming the type of heroes that can manifest those things instead of war, pestilence, conquest and death.
Is it time to replace the old myths and superstitions with new and better ones, and if so, will we do it in time to save ourselves?
Comments
Interesting, Stephen. Much of our hero mythology has been centered around fighters, miltary men. And remember how we used to play war games as kids, so soon after WWII? BTW, I never knew that about your father. That must have been a huge source of pride growing up.
But, I agree with your point about this being the time to rethink these myths, that you're absolutely spot on. Now, more than at any other time in our history, we need a different paradigm. We need to think peace, talk peace find ways to wipe militarism from our consciousness.
I don't mind that anybody speaks of John McCain as a hero. He served his country, he underwent a grueling experience in the name and support of his nation. I have a problem with that experience being relative to his ability to govern. He blindly supports the war in Iraq, and talks as though he would support war as an option in dealing with Iran. This is insanity. He is in step with the corporate/military/oil complex which would continue to bleed us dry and jeopardize any hope we might muster for turning this nation around.
We need leaders who will use truth and reason as weapons.
Posted by: dougt | March 6, 2008 08:01 PM
great article Steven. I also am so sick and tired of the name "hero" applied to those who died in the pentagon and world trade center. Just because you happen to be in a building that was attacked does not mean you were a friggin hero- be real. Hell we have plumbers,carpenters etc. on the job and they get blown away; does this mean they were heroic? pahleeeeeeze
Most heros we will never hear about.They just are.
Hope this makes sense.
Peace
Posted by: Ray | March 6, 2008 09:41 PM
I think the word "hero" comes from the Greek meaning to watch over and protect.
I'm tired of hearing John McCain called a "hero" when in his own words in his book he admitted giving military information to the enemy in exchange for medical care for himself ONLY; not for anyone else. So the real heros to me are the ones who followed the code and didn't give aide or info to the enemy for personal gain.
John McCain, like G W Bush, was given a pilot slot because he had a powerful high ranking military Daddy. McCain crashed 4 jets in accidents. (At least the Air National Guard was wise enough to take Bush off flying status and prevent him from destroying very expensive jets).
I also am tired of hearing it called The Iraq War or Global War on Terror; it was and is the wrongful Invasion of a Nation that did nothing to the USA; it was just the most vunerable since it had no wmd's, no enriched uranium, but it had all that wonderful shiny oil.
Posted by: Myra | March 7, 2008 03:46 AM
I recognize and sympathize with McCain’s suffering as a POW. If makes him a hero, then so are the thousands of men and women who come home missing limbs or with other serious disabilities who manage to pick up their lives and move on. Does that qualify all of them to be President? I don’t think so. And the history of our military presidents would seem to bear that out. Some were good, some fair, and some pretty bad.
In my book real heroes are people like Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mother Theresa. People who made a real difference in the world while rejecting violence. And as you said, the everyday ordinary people who go through life performing small acts of courage that go mostly unnoticed except perhaps by those who benefit from their actions. I came across an anonymous quote that says it better than I could:
Posted by: Trish | March 8, 2008 07:06 PM