The Power Of Context: Heroes

When we hear of heroes we automatically reminiscing back on our childhood, and the many figures that represent heroes in our lives. In an imaginary world when we think of “heroes” or “gentlemen”, we stereotypically constitute characters such as superman, batman and Spiderman. Some even envision a knight and shining armor riding into the sunset or walking through fire to save them. It is astonishing to think that whenever life gets tough we can create an illusion of another world. Fortunately, in the real world, heroes come in all shapes and sizes. We have heroes in everyday life, whether they do the simplest thing or the most magnificent thing. In the essay “The power of context” by Malcolm Gladwell, he presents the story of Bernhard Goetz, a man who was tormented by the fear of crimes in New York City where he lived. Goetz eventually snapped and shot four delinquents on a train. At that time Goetz was considered a hero for eliminating some of the neighborhood’s problems. But later when crime decreases, Goetz was called a criminal for his actions. Similarly, in the “Naked Citadel” by Susan Faludi, she also presents the heroine actions of Shannon Faulkner, a young girl who challenged the citadel’s one hundred and fifty year old all male policy. To some Goetz and Faulkner are heroes but to others they might be perceived as other wise. Heroes are the people who are making a difference in everyway they can, no matter how big or small. We need heroes in every aspect of our lives; whether we need to be saved from a big dilemma or a shoulder to cry on, a hero is someone who is always there. A hero is needed most when everyone else is afraid to stand for justice, but there is one brave person who is willing to. We need heroes first and fo...

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...me by simply taking action and not following everyone else’s weak actions. Just like Faulkner was not afraid to break the cycle of all male policy in the Citadel. Although Faulkner and Goetz might not seem like much of a hero to certain people, but the fact remains, they were not afraid to break the rules and be the hero that their communities desperately desired.

Heroes are needed in every aspect of our lives. If we didn’t heroes rights, our outlook on life would not be the same. Now days, parents tell their kids to dream as big as they can and just believe that one day their dreams will come true. If we did not have heroes who had achieved their dreams, those kids would not be motivated to achieve theirs. Just like Shannon Faulkner had the courage to reverse the odds and enter an all male Citadel, many young girls will have the courage to do the same.