Heroism

Jason Lam

Philip O’Leary

Literature Core

17 March 2016

Heroism

In today’s society people would say that a hero is someone who stands up against what is wrong and triumphs over it. I agree with society’s definition of the word hero but I believe to be a true hero you must stand up against what is unjust, knowing that the chances of failure are great, but still doing what is right. It takes a true hero to do what is right even though they have the possibility of failing. Heroes are people willing to do something good for others or the world but at the same time are not letting the consequences get in the way of doing the good deed. They do not let the sight of failure stop them from doing what is right. This is a quality that is unique only to heroes. A majority of the people see failure and the consequences of an action and it prevents them from doing the just thing. This is what separates ordinary people from heroes. A hero is not afraid to step in and do the right thing regardless of the situation and consequences. 

Heroes can take many forms in many ways. Heroes can range from average people doing the right thing to people in the army protecting our country. Anyone can be a hero as long as you are willing to do what is right regardless of the consequences. You do not have to do extreme deeds, such as save a persons life, in order to be considered a hero. There are many other good deeds that can be done to be seen as a hero. For example in my eyes I believe that whistleblowers are also heroes too. Whistleblowers are willing to risk their own livelihoods to protect the customers from wrongdoing. They have the moral integrity to do what is right even if it means that they could get fired and lose their job. It goes to show that anyone can be a hero regardless of the size or impact of your heroic deed. As long as people are willing to stand up against what is unjust anyone can be a hero. It doesn’t take much to be a hero as long you are willing to do the right thing regardless of the consequences. Although there are few requirements to be considered a hero there are not many heroes in society because people are too scared to do the right thing because they are afraid of the consequences and failures. 

Heroes are crucial to society. They prevent the world from crumbling into pieces. Heroes are the foundation that keeps the world running smoothly. Heroes are the reason why the world is not in chaos and in total anarchy; their good deeds and heroic actions rub off onto others, which lead to more heroes being born by the second. Without heroes no one would be willing to do the right things because people would have no role models to follow or emulate. They would be consumed by their fear of failure and the consequences of their actions. Heroes give hope and optimism to people to do the right thing. People think that if these people can do it and be heroic that they can too. Heroes inspire other people to become heroes. For example Mahatma Gandhi was a hero in India. He led India to independence with nonviolent civil disobedience and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. His heroic action led to another hero being born and his name was Martin Luther King. Martin Luther King was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent civil disobedience and his ability to free India from British rule. King soon followed in Gandhi’s footsteps and became a hero himself. Heroism is very powerful and influential. Heroes and heroic actions lead to more people trying to do the right thing regardless of the consequences. All it takes is one hero and then it becomes a snowball effect with more heroes being born by the second.