While on a law school campus waiting to judge a Moot Court competition, a costume clad law student passed by and suddenly among the autumn leaves there was time to contemplate what constitutes a hero. What is a hero? We all agree that the firefighters and policeman who were first responders to 911 were all heroes. Arnold Schwarznenegger repeated the phraseology when referring to fire fighters after the recent California fires. President Bush often refers to our military fighting in Iraq as heroes. But are these the only heroes?
How about the people who clean the streets of New York? Near Halloween, people infiltrate Times Square wearing capes, masks and uniforms cleaning the streets of litter. Members of Superheroes Anonymous (allegedly created by Chaim Lazaros) also passes out crime-prevention literature to educate people on how not to become victims. Chaim Lazaros organized the independent super heroes by gathering independent "heroes" together in New York for a documentary he is filming. Members of his group refuse to provide the press with real names so as to protect their identities. Most patrol their own neighborhoods.
So who are these so called heroes? One calls herself Street Hero wears a black mask and is trained in martial arts. She apparenttly tries to teach prostitutes how to defend themselves.
Another, "The Super" fixes faucets and does electrical work for people in need. He wears a red cape, a yellow shirt and a white mask.
Do heroes need to wear a uniform? Legal Pub thinks not. Not even close. There are thousands of teachers that go beyond the call of duty to educate children. There are volunteers manning suicide, drug and alcohol hot lines. Thousands of others work in soup or food kitchens for the poor. Thousands of lawyers offer services pro bono or at a minimal charge. There are doctors and nurses volunteering at indigent health clinics. How about people who stop to aid a stranded motorist? Certainly they are heroes. There are millions who give to charities. Foster parents and adoptive parents are every where.
How about "green" advocates who help to save our environment? Those living in solar powered homes and driving electric or hybrid cars are certainly answering the call of duty. Water conservationists, farmers, crop harvesters... they are all heroes. The list goes on indefinitely.
While the millions of every day super heroes don't wear costumes and are not likely to be included in documentaries like Chaim Lazaros movie, they don't need to be. Philanthropy is alive and well in the United States. Keep in mind that any one who is not currently a super hero is simply a Clark Kent in disguise just waiting to bloom into the next Albert Schweitzer.
Update 11-1: James Zadroga was a New York City detective who had worked at the ground zero. He later died of a respiratory ailment. An autopsy indicated he injected ground-up pills, which lodged in his lungs. AOL joins the debate of what constitutes a hero. LINK
Update 2-16-10: Any further comments or updates on this story need to be sent to legalpub@legalpub.net and they will be posted accordingly.
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16 comments:
You are still my hero legal pub!
Shell
Judge Learned Hand was a legal hero. He interpreted and proclaimed law in such a fashion as to give guidance for years beyond his own life.
Legal Scholar
Speaking of self proclaimed heroes, Opra Winfrey opened an all girls school in South Africa which has been bombarded with allegations that school matrons fondled and beat the female students. One incident claims a matron allegedly grabbed a girl by the throat and tossed her into a wall.
Another student ran away from the school's dorms, reportedly because the abuse had become overwhelming.
"I've disappointed you. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," Winfrey told families in an emergency meeting on Sunday at the South African school. The school's principal and two matrons were placed on leave.
So much for heroes...
Jill
Over the past few weeks, Winfrey has flown to South Africa twice to deal with the scandal.
Winfrey, who built and opened the school in January 2007, initially gave the students her telephone number and mailing address when the school opened, so that they could contact her directly. Upon opening the $46 million school, Winfrey proclaimed the day as "the proudest, greatest day of my life and a dream come true."
Even heroes some times disappoint, Jill. Oprah's heart was apparently in the right place. Sometimes, even heroes can not prevent injury. And like all humans, heroes do make mistakes.
Legal pub, you are right on target with this story.
Mabie
Oprah needs to realize that charity starts at home.
What a positive and hopeful outlook on people you have, Legal Pub... that's refreshing!
Legal Pub's glass is not only half full, it is overflowing with insight into humanity.
Greg
A new and complex quandary…Oh joy!
I’d say, at a minimum, a hero tends to make extraordinary self-sacrifices for the benefit of others or live their life in a manner that should be an exemplar for others.
There are other criteria involved of course…but I’d be careful in making the definition to broad. By the time we get agreement everybody who paid a bill on time once is a hero…kind of loses its high meaning.
Whatever a “Hero” is, they are…or in my opinion should be… rare.
L.S.
I disagree with L.S. on this one. The world is full of heroes and rightfully so. The more heroes, the better, safer, kinder society that we shall have.
Grandma Jones
. . . are we confusing "random acts of kindness" with heroism? I agree with L.S. that the term "hero" should be used rarely and that maybe we have diluted the word. Perhaps, we are all "capable" of "moments" of heroism...
. . . another word we seem to overuse is "genius". Einstein, Mozart were genius - not sure about Speilberg and Lucas . . . get my drift?
I prefer a world of every day heroes, a world where people think and act like a heroe. What would a heroe do? should be engraved in every person's wrist until it becomes a permanent part of one's brain.
Yes, I see the world Legal Pub portrays. It is a world of Christian and Jews standing side by side performing acts of heroism
that are not reported in papers or magazines...
Pops
How about heroes like legal pub who bring us the news with a slant of humor and a slant of seriousness all when we need it the most?
Greg
Update 11-1: James Zadroga was a New York City detective who had worked at the ground zero. He later died of a respiratory ailment. An autopsy indicated he injected ground-up pills, which lodged in his lungs. AOL joins the debate of what constitutes a hero. LINK on main page.
Randy Pauch is ny new hero.
"Rise Lazaros, Rise!"
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