Modern Day Heroes - Devin Dean

     2020 has certainly been a crazy year, and due to the unimaginable circumstances, new heroes seem to be appearing everyday.  In class, we have learned about the hero journey and applied it to Beowulf, who is the one of the most traditional heroes.  He had all of the characteristics of a hero; brave, strong, a drive to save other.  With the pandemic this year, as well as controversies that have happened in our country, people who don't follow the conventional definition of a hero are becoming some of the most celebrated heroes.  

    A group that has always been considered heroes was able to really stand out this year and help the world when they were needed most.  Healthcare workers put their lives on the line to help others during this pandemic.  Even when very little was known about the corona virus, healthcare workers still treated those infected with it to the best of their ability.  How the virus spread, possible treatments, the effects of the virus, were all unknown.  People were dying, and there was no specific way to save them.  Doctors and nurses still continued to treat them, and try to save them, even though they didn't know how.  While the rest of the world sat in quarantine, healthcare workers continued doing their job, even if they lacked important equipment, such as new masks or gloves.  When the world needed them most, the bravely stepped up, and took the pandemic head on.  They also had reduce contact with their loved ones, in order to keep them safe and limit their exposure to the virus.  This would take a great emotional and mental toll on anyone, but especially those who had to watch people suffer and die from a mysterious virus.  Despite all of this, healthcare workers continued pushing forward and helping others.  They are true heroes this year.

    Another group who can be called heroes this year are all of the individuals who protested on behalf of Black Lives Matter.  These people stood up to an adversity occurring within the black community.  This adversity did not directly effect all of the protesters, but in spite of that, they still went out to fight for the rights of people of color.  They faced having to possibly deal with violence, encounters with police, being arrested, and many other dangerous factors, all in order to express and bring light to the discrimination happening in the country.  These people are truly courageous, and willing to fight for themselves, as well as others.  The protesters, as well as everyone who signed petitions, and gave donations to fight for equality can be considered heroes.

    While many people don't follow the traditional explanation of a hero, or a hero journey, they are all heroes in their own way.  There are many other heroes this year, but these two groups really stood out in their own ways.  Both helped society in different, but extremely important ways.  Their bravery is undeniable, and they provided hope in 2020.  They are genuine heroes.