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I truly believe heroes still exist in the 21st century but before you can ask yourself that you have to understand what exactly a hero is. A hero is a person who can "transform compassion into a heroic action.” (Text 2 What Really Is a Hero, Anyway) A hero can come in all shapes and sizes and be of any race or age. (Text 5 Modern Day Heroes) You do not have to have special superpowers or be the most athletic person to be considered a hero. In fact you can be a hero and still have disabilities. Nick Scott is a prime example as to how he became a hero regardless of his physical state.
Nick Scott became a paraplegic and was told he would never be able to walk again after the horrific car wreck he was involved in. (Text 5 Modern Day Heroes) Instead of giving up and living the rest of his life discouraged, he felt it was time to make a change. He was filled with determination and he had the personal strength to become a wheelchair body builder. “He was inspired so much that he became the founder on the largest online wheelchair bodybuilder community.” (Text 5 Modern Day Heroes) Scott now serves as an idol and inspiration to many people with disabilities across the world. He help sends the message that you shouldn’t give up and be discouraged. To help out the community, Scott created the first ever wheelchair body building camp in 2008. “His ultimate goal is to add the wheel chair body building to the Arnold Classic and to the Olympic Stage.” (Text 5 Modern Day Heroes) Nick Scott is clearly a true hero and it supports my claim that heroes still exist in the 21st century. Scott is changing lives day in and day out and is an inspiration to many people throughout the world with or without disabilities.
On December 20th, 1943, Charlie ...
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...America and Franz Stigler of Germany show that it does not matter if you are fighting for different countries but to fight with a code of honor and respect. Stigler showed signs of respect and humanity when he spared Charlie Brown and his crews life on December 20th, 1943. And Nick Scott sends a message to the world as he turned his life around and became a wheelchair body builder after becoming a paraplegic in a horrific car wreck. He helped show that it does not matter if you are disabled, you should never give up and always have a positive mindset. I believe heroes do exist in the 21st century and we will only hear more heroic stories throughout our lifetime. “Heroism should exist as an attitude, not as a person.” (Text 1 Lance Armstrong Syndrome: Do Heroes Exist?) We all have the opportunity to be a hero; it is whether or not you are brave enough to show it.
Generally when you think of a hero, who do you envision? Most likely, you picture a strong and imposeing figure, someone capable of performing in high pressure situations, demonstrating bravery and passion to help his/her fellow man. Those who typically fit that role in society are firefighters, policemen, and soldiers. Those people deserve all the credit and recognition they receive for their courageous acts. However, what about individuals or groups who aren’t necessarily on the “frontlines” physically protecting others and saving lives, but who work extremely hard to improve the lives of others in some way? These everyday people deserve credit as well. After all, to the people they help, these volunteers or activists are heroes. An example of such a group is the Greensboro Four, a few African American college students in the early 1960s who helped change the landscape of segregation in the Jim Crow South.
Anyone can truly be a hero, even in real life. Heroes can be people who simply have an idea and decide to grow onto that idea and have it done. For example, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were real life heroes who started out as ordinary people but had a dream and made a huge difference in the end. Nelson Mandela, a Civil Rights activists, once said, “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference” (Lazaro). Nelson Mandela was trying to say that anybody can make a difference, but it is up to that person or people to make that change. One simple change could cause any simple person to have a major change in lifestyle just because they decided to step up and do something. Furthermore, anyone can be a hero, it doesn’t matter what one’s background is, one can make even the simplest of changes and become a hero to oneself and the people around them.
When someone say’s “hispanic,” what definition comes to mind? Hispanics are not one nationality, nor one culture. Instead, Hispanics are greatly diverse people. Our language and cultural origins are Spanish and Latin American, regardless of race and color. Hispanics can be European, Indian, or of African descent, or any combination of the three. The culture could be linked to Mexico, the Caribbean countries, Central America, South America and Spain. Hispanics were once considered a rarity in the United States, now we are found throughout the country.
Loewen defines heroification as “a degenerative process (much like calcification) that makes people over into heroes” (Loewen 11). During this process, negative or controversial facts are often ignored or altered in regards to these heroes, which create “perfect creatures without conflicts, pain, credibility, or human interest (Loewen 11). When one changes or omits facts concerning figures in history for this type of glorification, we are left with an invented story of the event or person; in other words, history has become a myth. History textbooks are filled with these types of glorifications, especially older texts. The purpose of heroification is to present events or people in a favorable light and to give ideal role models in which to follow. In my own words, I call Loewen’s heroification an effective form of brainwashing. For example, I was always taught that the Civil War was fought to free slaves, but later learned this war was about states succeeding from the Union. Many people still believe the Emancipation Proclamation’s purpose was to free the slaves; however, it was actually the last resort Lincoln used to win the Civil War. Of course, this is not how these events were portrayed to most of us in History class. Heroification alters the purpose of these events so that we, as citizens, can feel proud that America did away with slavery because our forefathers felt it was morally wrong. Loewen also points out how heroification can lead to role models in the case of Helen Keller, “the blind and deaf girl who overcame her physical handicaps, as an inspiration to generations of schoolchildren” (Loewen 12). The problem with Keller being used as an exemplary model for American schoolchildren is that only her early life is portr...
Latinos who were raised in the United States of America have a dual identity. They were influenced by both their parents' ancestry and culture in addition to the American culture in which they live. Growing up in between two very different cultures creates a great problem, because they cannot identify completely with either culture and are also caught between the Spanish and English languages. Further more they struggle to connect with their roots. The duality in Latino identity and their search for their own personal identity is strongly represented in their writing. The following is a quote that expresses this idea in the words of Lucha Corpi, a Latina writer: "We Chicanos are like the abandoned children of divorced cultures. We are forever longing to be loved by an absent neglectful parent - Mexico - and also to be truly accepted by the other parent - the United States. We want bicultural harmony. We need it to survive. We struggle to achieve it. That struggle keeps us alive" ( Griwold ).
A stereotypical "hero" is someone with superpowers, such as the ability to fly or superhuman strength to save citizens from dangerous situations, is good looking, and flawless. However, a true hero is someone who, although flawed, can overcome his or her struggles in order to better his or her own life and others’ lives as well. They have a positive influence on people they come into contact with, and are able to enact change across society. History has shown that unexpected "heroes" have been able to challenge stereotypical views and enact economic, political, and social progress. A prime example is Helen Keller, a woman who lived in the 19th century and became blind, deaf, and mute when she was just an infant. Caused by an mysterious illness, these devastating disabilities seemed to be insurmountable obstacles and seemed incompatible with living a "normal" life. However, with the help of her persistent teacher, Anne Sullivan, Keller worked hard to become educated and successful, paving the road for others with these life altering disabilities. Despite her own illness and struggles to mentor Keller, Anne Sullivan remained loyal to Keller and persisted in providing her with support and a proper education when no one else would. Although Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller are not the traditional "heroes" most people envision, they represent groundbreaking American heroes and have made a lasting mark on American history because they have overcome major struggles and discrimination. They have positively impacted future generations by creating schools for the deaf and blind, and have established organizations that fight against discrimination and unfair treatment against the disabled and others who lack a ...
Today, the Hispanic population has grown tremendously over the years. We have watched the Hispanics community growth rate grow faster than any other racial and ethnic group in the nation. The Hispanic culture and community has populated all around the United States, introducing new traditions and customs. I was traveling to different to city in the States, I notice the wide spread growth of Hispanic communities, For Instance in Miami the Cuban and El Salvadoran culture is heavy populate in the area. In New York the Puerto Rican culture is dominating through out the several boroughs. I have come around town and Hispanics are known for their good food, which tends to have more diverse people try new cultural customs. Hispanic or Latino Americans are a group of people made up of distinct characteristics. Hispanics or Latinos are defined as a people of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South or Central American, or other Spanish speaking cultures.
Holzer, Harold (2004). Heroes of History Lecture: Abraham Lincoln, American Hero. National Endowment for the Humanities. Retrieved from We the People.gov.
So what does being Hispanic really mean? There are different interpretations of what being Hispanic is, or should be. Hispanic is much more than how we look, how we dress and how we act. For me being Hispanic defines the word familia (family) and the orgullo (pride) that I have in myself and in my traditions/cultures.
To the world today, a hero is someone distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility, or strength; but really, anyone can be a hero. A hero can vary from someone as well-known as George Washington to someone as unheard of as anyone’s very own mother. Someone who has done a good deed for someone else is hero. The biggest heroes are the ones in well-known books and plays, such as Odysseus from The Odyssey, or have made a huge difference in the history of this world, like Mahatma Gandhi. Siddhartha Gautama is a hero, but not in the same way Odysseus or Gandhi are. Although these three influential people went through different journeys in order to accomplish different things, they are all heroes in their own way and have been through the same cycle of the road of trials and crisis/salvation.
The Latino and Hispanic culture has many differences that truly make it unique. This culture is compiled of people living in the United States but have lineage from Cuba, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and El Salvador, and other Latin American countries (Sue & Sue, 2007). The terms Hispanic and Latino tend to be used interchangeably in the United States for people with origins in Spanish-speaking or Portuguese-speaking countries, like Mexico, Costa Rica, and Brazil. Contrary to many beliefs, Hispanic is not a race, but an ethnicity. Hispanic is a term created by the U.S. federal government in the early 1970s in an attempt to provide a common denominator to a large, but diverse, population with connection to the Spanish language or culture from a Spanish-speaking country ( U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). It is imperative to be mindful of the distinctive differences that exist within the sub-groups and between the different groups. Similarly, to the African American culture it is important to know the history of the culture.
...ho have the courage to stand up and solve today’s issues. Hero’s are not uncommon and they can be found anywhere. A hero can’t be determined by the size of their act, but the taught behind it. Small acts that go unnoticed to changing history as we know it are all considered heroic acts in my eyes and they inspire me every day.
You also don’t have to kill anyone, conquer foreign land, or risk your life to be a hero. Anyone who influences anyone else by saving or helping save his or her lives is a hero. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. changed the lives of millions of people by bringing justice to minorities. Mahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest heroes, led a nonviolent revolution to free his country.
There is an ever growing dispute in society where some people view others as heroes either when they physically put themselves in danger to defend a cause or to safeguard others, or when they say what they are thinking out loud when others are not brave enough to do so. The recognition of a hero should go to those who are able to stand up for others against the oppressors or conflicts in society by voicing their opinion and by stating the opinions of the people who do not have the courage to do so. However, some may believe that heroes are those who seek danger to protect others or a cause, an example being a firefighter or cop who goes into work every day to protect the people in society, even though they know their lives are in stake. The articles, "Inspired by a hero: What Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life means to me" by La Prensa, "Profiles in Greatness - Gandhi" by Success, and "Nelson Mandela, hero to the world" by New Pittsburgh Courier, support the claim that heroes are those who are the voice for the voiceless. There has been many people in history who have put their lives at stake due to their courage to stand up for others, an example being Martin Luther King, Jr.
In our world , we can find many heroes. In history, a hero is a person who fights to achieve honor, and in ancient Greek history, heroes could be male or female. Achilles was one of the greatest examples in ancient Greece. I think the concept of the hero has changed today from the past. According to Tollefson (1993), a hero is a person who has an exciting experience of adventure to tell others, also who has a vision that can change people’s lives and serve power larger than themselves, they are individuals. I think Nick Vujicic is one example of a hero today. Nick Vujicic who was born on December 4th, 1982, in Australia, with no limbs, without any medical reason and no family history to be in this condition. When he was a child, Nick felt worthless and different in a negative way. After growing up, he found his purpose and realized his special skills. Nick Vujicic as a hero because he has mental and physical strength , also he believes that the one’s can make change.