What is a Hero? By: Thomas Schottland

     

    We've learned quite a bit so far in English class, and I think it's safe to say we've covered some truly eye-opening content. For me, I was very intrigued throughout the studies of historical, and now modern-day, heroes. And it made me think: What determines whether or not someone qualifies as a hero? Well, we do know that heroes do come in many different shapes and forms. There are war heroes, social heroes, political heroes, medical heroes, and most importantly, personal heroes. But what is it exactly that solidifies their story as a hero. Is it their bravery/courage? Their kindness and empathy? Is it the deed itself, not a characteristic? I dug deeper, looking at examples of heroes of the past: those like the great Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, Charles De Gaulle, Abraham Lincoln... all revolutionary characters whose presence and action impacted our daily lives and altered the future of our planet as a whole. I looked for similarities among them- they all were quite popular among a respective group, they committed good deeds from their own position of authority, (whether it was low or high), all for the greater good. So it brought me to a final conclusion: heroes are those who are willing to sacrifice something of their own to pave a pathway for others, and for a greater cause. But it also brought me another: Heroes are based purely on perception and point of view. There is always opposition, always things that mean more to somebody than to somebody else. It is the heroes that uplift and make everyone's lives without hurting others that are truly a treasure. Peacemakers, thinkers, life changers. They are the ones that keep this globe spinning, and our lives rolling. So the true question is: Do you have what it takes to be a "true" hero?...