Ken Hurley
Donate a kidney, you’re a hero. Donate three kidneys? People start asking questions.
From the beautiful lyrics in The Wind Beneath My Wings, Bette Midler sings, “Did you ever know that you’re my hero?” I didn’t. Although, little ol’ me has been called a hero more than once. Not because I acted with courageous bravery without regard for my personal safety — but because I returned a purse. I was walking home on 72nd Street in NYC when I nearly tripped over a large leather bag whose contents was scattered around it. I examined it, put the contents back in the bag, and walked home with the bag. Included with all the other personal belongings was a wallet with a driver’s license and credit cards. No cash. No phone number. I mailed the bag and contents to the address on the license with a personal note. About three weeks later I received a huge bouquet of flowers and a personal note that read, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank You! You are my hero. You have restored my faith in humanity. – Nancy”
Well, clearly that act is not heroic. Just seemed like the right thing to do.
Do we need heroes? Yes.
Why is this a perennial question? I don’t know, but it is a debate that surfaces whenever individuals and societies struggle with a sense of moral decay, political turmoil, and existential anxieties. Umm, like, now. A true hero offers hope, is a source of inspiration, and a tangible embodiment of shared societal values. Not Trump and his childish memes that portray him as heroic. True heroes do not think of themselves as heroes. Other people label them as heroes. The notion of heroism is complex, prone to manipulation (Trump again), and often overshadowed by the flaws and limitations of the humans who embody heroic traits.
The human desire for heroes seems ingrained in our psychology. Heroes provide a sense of meaning and purpose, and show us that extraordinary acts of courage and selflessness are possible. This aspirational quality is central to the hero’s appeal. They are not merely individuals — they are symbols of hope and human potential.
This need for heroes is often reflected in song lyrics. For example, in Queen’s, We Are the Champions, the lyrics proclaim: “I’ve paid my dues / Time after time / I’ve done my sentence / But committed no crime.” This speaks to a struggle, the perseverance to be a champion. There are dozens more. Here are a few: Heroes by David Bowie: A classic about finding strength and connection in a difficult world. My Hero by Foo Fighters: A tribute to an everyday hero, celebrating their strength and impact. Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler: A powerful 80s anthem about waiting for a larger-than-life hero. And, We Don’t Need Another Hero by Tina Turner: A song from the Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome soundtrack that questions the need for heroes.
The rise of heroic figures has often coincided with periods of crisis or upheaval. In times of war or civil strife, leaders like Nelson Mandela and Volodymyr Zelensky emerged as symbols of resilience and defiance. These individuals, through their courage and leadership, became larger-than-life figures, representing the collective will of their people. Their actions elevate their persona to the status of heroes.
Let’s also remember the epic fictional heroes in Homer’s Odyssey, Virgil’s Aeneid, the knights of King Arthur’s court, Robin Hood, and my favorite superhero – Superman!
Literature provides a space to explore the virtues of courage, loyalty, and self-sacrifice without leaving the comfort of my favorite easy chair. The struggles, and their flaws (they always have flaws – kryptonite, a heel) make these heroes relatably human. The flawed hero, such as Achilles, whose rage leads to tragedy, or Hamlet (a hero?) maybe. His indecisiveness and confusion delays his revenge and gets lots of people killed. Yet he offers a nuanced perspective on heroism, showing the complexities of human nature.
Scientists who discover life-saving vaccines, environmental activists fighting for climate justice, athletes who overcome adversity to achieve athletic excellence, people who fight in the streets protesting ICE, are potential candidates for the coveted title of hero. Ordinary people performing extraordinary acts is one definition of heroism. The individuals who assist others in moments of crisis, the whistleblowers who expose corruption, and the community organizers who work to improve their neighborhoods, seem to embody heroic qualities. Even though they would likely tell us they are not heroic, but just doing what seems right.
However, the need for heroes has its drawbacks. The idealization of individuals can lead to a dangerous cult personality. (MAGA) When we elevate individuals to a heroic status, we often overlook their flaws and their limitations. This can lead to blind faith in leaders, a susceptibility to manipulation, and a failure to critically examine their decisions and motivations. Dictators and demagogues who can cultivate a cult of personality and capitalize on the public’s need for a hero, demonstrate the dangers of unchecked power and unquestioning loyal devotion. (Tired of Trump as an example?) When we attribute social change solely to the actions of a single individual, we may overlook the contributions of the countless others who play a vital role in achieving human progress. This can lead to a sense of disempowerment, a feeling that our individual actions are insignificant and meaningless in the face of heroic leadership. The belief that a single savior (Jesus, Mohammed, L Ron Hubbard) will solve all our problems can also lead to inaction, preventing us from taking responsibility for our own lives and communities. Another potential drawback is the distortion of reality. Heroic narratives often simplify complex events, portraying individuals in either/or, yes/no, black or white, right or wrong terms, ignoring the nuances and complexities of human behavior. The tendency to romanticize the past and to attribute extraordinary qualities to historical figures can create unrealistic expectations. This focus on “great people” can easily obscure the importance of the average Joe. Like lil’ ol’ me.
The value of heroes lies in their potential to inspire us to be better versions of ourselves. Heroes are not gods, but guides, who remind us of the power of human potential. They can be a valuable source of motivation and inspiration that provides us with models of courage, resilience, and compassion. But the skeptical humans (Hello there!) must never relinquish their critical faculties that enable discerning truths from myths. We should hold our heroes accountable by asking probing questions like, “Exactly where did you get that cape?” We need heroes, but we need to understand that the hero within us is often more powerful than the hero we put on a pedestal.
Remind me to tell you next time about the years I was called a savior. Jeezus Christ.
