I need to rant before i really blow up.

[kariann330]

So there is this word that keeps getting thrown around the interwebz and the media. Normally I wouldn't mind that word being used, except it is being used for the wrong reasons. That word is HERO.

In the last couple of years I have heard; An NBA player, Obama, Beau Berghdal and now Caitlin Jenner all called heroes.

Going in order, being in the NBA and coming out as gay doesn't make you a hero! Violating a US policy that until recently has been strictly adhered to (bargaining with terrorists) does NOT make you a hero! Going AWOL and laying down your weapon to be captured by the enemy, and living to tell about it, does NOT make you a hero! Lastly coming out as transgender on TV does NOT make you a hero regardless of your bank account balance or athletic history.

Two of those are actually inspiration, are strong, are courageous, but not heroes. The other two, are flippin COWARDS AND TRAITORS.

So if they aren't heroes, who really is? The men and women who voluntarily join their countries military. They are heroes. The EMTs or paramedics whatever you call them, who occasionally put their lives in danger to save people's lives, they ARE heroes, don't agree, that's fine, good luck providing advanced first aid to yourself while driving yourself to a hospital. Doctors, nurses, surgeons etc etc etc, THEY are heroes, don't agree again, cool next time you break your leg x-ray it, set it and cast it yourself and if it's a compound fracture stitch yourself shut. WhateverCity PD, THEY are heroes, because of them you can sleep safe at night in your own home. Firefighters are HEROES, disagree again, rescue your own kids and put out your own house fire then.

Yes everyone I mentioned are paid for the services they provide to us, but they aren't forced into doing them. Every day those people save lives and never ask for anything, not even a thank you. They don't get holidays off, or can call in sick to work cuz they drank too much over the weekend.

So again, PLEASE stop calling every single famous person who comes out of the closet a hero, because honestly, it's a freaking INSULT to the real heroes in this world.




Rant over.

[Kitty June]

Sounds like too much Facebook time.
Breath........ And relax



Ella

[kariann330]

Sounds like too much Facebook time.
Breath........ And relax



Ella

Inhales half of a menthol 100 in one drag and throws in a fat pinch.....




All I need now is a cold Bud Light and I'm chill lol

[Dena]

I would think there is also another class of hero called small hero. These are the people who go out of there way to help others and expect nothing in return. You see this type of person in charity work  or as a mentor to somebody just starting out in life. They are the type of people we should emulate because it makes us a better person.

[Laura_7]

I would advise to take too much emotion out of the subject...

there are some people who are a positive example of what can be achieved...
but it has to be connected to values...

and history is overly full of examples of how people were misled to believe a cause which was less than good for all involved...

This need for a hero leads to looking for validation outside of oneself.
Ideally validation should come from within, doing things that are felt are fun and in alignment with positive values.

In such an environment adoration of others, which can be a dangerous way for being misled, is strongly diminished.

And sometimes people who are given lots of attention and are not prepared for it might have a less than beneficial side...
its like all sides of the personality get blown up... it needs balance and sometimes work on the personality...


*hugs* 

[iKate]

I was a police officer and people would thank me for stuff and call me a hero. I was polite about it. It was no big deal to me. I'm still a sheepdog in many respects though.

To me, anyone who faces the world and stares down extreme transphobia and helps me live without fear is my hero. This includes Caitlyn Jenner.

Honestly the whole "she's not a hero" thing is meant to invalidate her. Don't fall into that trap.

[suzifrommd]

I'm with you Kariann. I hate when the word hero is used for someone who isn't heroic.

I'd quibble that Bergdahl does fit your first category (The men and women who voluntarily join their countries military.) I'll allow my heroes to be imperfect and to make mistakes, even serious ones, so I'm still not sure about him. But Jenner, she did a lot for us and I admire both her athletic and marketing skill, but she hasn't risen to the level of hero in my book. Professional athletes also don't deserve "hero". They're really just entertainers, who are paid to entertain us by playing a sport in front of an audience.

Do you consider Lynn Conway a hero?

[kariann330]

I'm with you Kariann. I hate when the word hero is used for someone who isn't heroic.

I'd quibble that Bergdahl does fit your first category (The men and women who voluntarily join their countries military.) I'll allow my heroes to be imperfect and to make mistakes, even serious ones, so I'm still not sure about him. But Jenner, she did a lot for us and I admire both her athletic and marketing skill, but she hasn't risen to the level of hero in my book. Professional athletes also don't deserve "hero". They're really just entertainers, who are paid to entertain us by playing a sport in front of an audience.

Do you consider Lynn Conway a hero?

To the part about Lynn, no. I do consider her to be an innovator and an extremely intelligent woman but hero no.

To the point of Berghdal still being in the first category, I have to disagree. If he was tired of being deployed, if he felt lied to, if he missed his significant other that much....whatever the reason was, I would have more respect for him if he went AWOL while on leave instead of laying down his weapon and letting himself be captured. Furthermore if he was genuinely captured, every self respecting soldier that I know, would rather go bucket freaking naked than wear the clothing of the enemy. No matter what he will always be seen as a coward and traitor in my eyes, and if he rots in federal prison, or is hung for his actions I wouldn't even bat an eye, nor would I feel sorry for him. I know if it was me, I would have been found with my tags in my mouth/throat and a self inflicted gsw before I was captured.

[Jill F]

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.

[Randi]

Sergeant York and Audie Murphy, two of the most well known military heroes, didn't plan on being heroes.  They were placed in extraordinary circumstances and did what needed to be done.

Both suffered greatly in later years because of the things they experienced.  I'm sure they both would have wished events happened in a different way.

[Swayallday]

Changing society in the eye of contempt is admirable.
*hides from OP*

[Squircle]

I don't really feel the need to call people 'heros', nor to debate the meaning of the word and who qualifies, but who a person finds heroic can be a very personal thing, and depends on a variety of things such as political leanings, nationality, personal experience etc.

[marsh monster]

Here is something I posted the other day on my facebook about this hero stuff and many people's need to attack those they don't think should be heroes to anyone cause they aren't a hero to them... I actually removed a couple of people from my facebook for sharing transphobic memes based on Jenner and the whole hero thing.


"You know something, I've been seeing too much crap online about who is a hero and who is not. Everyone has their own opinion and there are, can be and should be, many different heroes in this world. Just because someone is not one to you doesn't mean that they deserve to be degraded along with a whole group of people just to make yourself feel good. Its not a contest and one kind of hero doesn't invalidate another kind of hero. I don't care for hatefulness and I'm not willing to tolerate having to see it pop up on my homepage on here.

Anyhoo, the whole point of this is that if you take issue with my sort, then go on and drop me, I'm probably not worthy of your "friendship" anyway..."

[Rachel]

Locked for review by a Moderator Admin.