Heroes are Exceptional, not Typical

Article: Too Many Heroes

I believe there are certain professions in our society that are essential, but often unsung and taken for granted.  Sometimes these professions are dangerous.  Some of them have poor salaries.  Some require strange or long hours.  All of them are dedicated to providing for the well being of our society.  Professions that come immediately to mind are Fire Fighter, Doctor, Nurse, Paramedic, Law Enforcement Officer, and Soldier.  All these professions are noble.  All require sacrifices, often with little reward.

But that doesn’t make these folks heroes.

A hero is someone who exhibits unusual character and behavior that is considered inherently admirable and atypically self-sacrificing.  Simply entering a vocation and donning a uniform does not make one a hero.  Heroes must go above and beyond the norm.  A hero is not typical, but exceptional.

The author in the above article writes:

If it looks like an altruistic act, then it IS an altruistic act. And so, we take the actions of a few and impose that quality on everyone that looks like them. So all soldiers, police officers, and fireman become heroes because of what a few of their brethren did and this denigrates and diminishes the actions of those few brave souls when their individual behaviors are extrapolated out to anyone who looks like them or wears the same uniform.

The firefighters, police officers, and volunteers at the World Trade Center on 9/11 were all heroes.  As others were running away, these extraordinary men and women ran toward danger, risking their lives, to help save others.

Mother Theresa risked violence, disease, starvation, persecution, and personal hardship to care for the poor.

Jason Dunham, an American Marine in Iraq threw himself on a grenade to save the lives of his two fellow Marines.

Deborah Johnson, RN, was knocked down and injured when shots were fired into a crowded street.  Despite her wounds, she ignored the danger to herself, crawled to the four shooting victims, and administered first aid, saving three of them.

These people are heroes.  At great personal risk, they placed the needs of others ahead of their own.  Where others ran from danger and hardship, they ran to the people in need.  Some came out unharmed.  Some were injured.  Some lost their lives.

Calling someone a hero simply because of their chosen career lessens the value of the title.  It takes honor away from true heroes.  Heroism requires exceptional behavior.  Like respect, the title of “hero” is earned, never given.