Heroes in the American Public - Essay Example

Heroes in the American Public The issue of heroism in the American public today has been seen as causing a misunderstanding as to who should be referred to as a hero. This has raised different opinions by different people as to how the word hero should be used and who it should be used to describe. Some think that the word hero or the title for heroes has been overused by people while others seem to think that America as a nation has failed to recognise most of its heroes. This topic has been critically addressed by authors such as Nicholus (pp. 347-348) and Klinkenborg (Para 1) who look at the issue of heroism in America in different lights. Nicholus (pp. 347-348) believes that the word Hero has been overused and actually abused in the American public. Klinkenborg (Para 1&2) also looks at the issue of heroism in America and also points to the fact that it has been used. He looks at the issue of the American soldiers who have greatly suffered in the war and wonders whether the cause for which they suffered was worthy. Nicholus (pp. 347-348) points to the fact that people have become so obsessed with the idea of heroism that they use it wherever and whenever they can. He also argues that this overuse and misuse of heroism is not good because it has caused an illusion in the understanding of heroism and what it should mean as well as the purpose it serves. He points out to the fact that heroism has been used to refer to people who have faithfully served in their duty such as those who faithfully served in the September 11 incidence. He points to the fact that victims have been referred to as heroes and thus losing the meaning of the term hero because heroes are supposed to be role models, something a victim cannot be. Klinkenborg (Para 2) also seems to have the same sentiments about heroism. He addresses the issue of American soldiers who have served and suffered in the Middle East war and shows how they have really suffered while serving. However, his big question is whether the purpose for which they suffered was worthy and therefore if that makes them heroes. Nicholus engages his audience in this topic by using evidence-based argument. For instance, he refers to the etymology of the word hero and looks at what the word hero originally meant in the Greek language. He even gives examples of some Greek heroes and the deeds they did in order to acquire their status as heroes. Most importantly, Nicholas looks at the conditions which are necessary for a hero status to be assigned to an individual. He lists a number of four conditions which an individual should meet in order to be called a hero and these include ingenuity, courage, a noble purpose and finally, success. This final condition, he argues that it is crucial in determining whether a person is a hero or not since even in cases where the individual has the first three conditions, failing to succeed robs him or her the status of a hero. At the same time he argues that assigning hero status to those who have failed or in particular victims of heinous acts such as the September 11th attack makes heroism look bad and make heroes to be diminished in their purpose. Nicholus (pp. 347-348) also tried to distinguish a hero from an ordinary person doing their job. However, he seemed to have noticed that he was tackling a sensitive matter in regard to the status of the people who suffered in the September 11th attacks and first addresses this issue by clearing the fact the he acknowledges that these people need to not only be appreciated but also that they should be grieved accordingly. Klinkenborg (Para 1), also seems to have the same concerns about heroism in the American public. Like Nicholus, he also points to the September 11th attack and how it led to the American people going into a frenzy of heroism. Just like Nicholus also, he realises the sensitive nature of the topic and therefore treads carefully around the issue. In the second paragraph for instance, he says that no one should have the right to argue that those soldiers who have suffered terribly in the Middle East are heroes, but that this should not mean that the word hero should be abused. To appeal to his audience, he uses the words of a veteran soldier, in the name of Private Jessica Lynch who dismissed the use of the word hero. By using this example, Klinkenborg is trying to use an insider in order not to look like he is diminishing the heroic acts of the soldiers by arguing that the word hero may not be used to describe their acts. These two articles seem to be at debate with each other as they seem to discuss the issues surrounding heroism in the American public. While Klinkenborg (Para 1&2) focuses more on the American soldiers in Vietnam and how they have suffered, Nicholus (pp. 347-348) has focused on the September 11th rescue workers and victims who died and who by that acquired the status of heroes. These two authors refer to the incidence of September 11th and how this led to the American public to craze and see themselves as heroes. The central issue which both articles look is the issue of inflating heroism by making everything look like heroes. Both authors of these two articles seem to agree that if the word hero is used to describe every other act of ordinary people, it may not only lose meaning in itself but that it may also lead to heroism itself losing meaning. The two articles looks at the way the American public has moved to a point where heroism has been diminished and its value miniaturized. In particular, both articles seem to clear the issue of heroism by pointing out the importance of heroes in the daily lives of people but also by pointing at the craziness that has gotten into the American society about heroism. Works Cited Klinkenborg, Verlyn. Returning from Iraq, the Damage Done. 2013. 24 July 2013 . Nicholus, Thomspom. Hero Inflation pp347-348. n.d. Read More