“Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say: This is my community, and it is my responsibility to make it better.”
- Studs Terkel (American author, historian, actor, broadcaster)
I had heard the name Studs Terkel but had no idea who he was. So, I went to Wikipedia to find out a little bit. I still don't really know that much but I do fully agree with the sentiment of the quotation above.
Wayne Gretsky and Sidney Crosby are not heroes; they are sports icons. Brent Hawkes and Troy Perry are not heroes; they are leaders in the gay church movement. Pierre Trudeau and Robert Stanfield are not heroes; they are political figures.
Wikipedia tells me that the term hero/heroine “refers to characters who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and a will for self-sacrifice...for some greater good for all humanity.” Sidney Crosby might be considered a hero for his stand on doing something to diminish or eliminate risk of head injuries/concussion in hockey. Brent Hawkes might be considered a hero in the gay community for his political stands on inclusion, especially for equal marriage rights in Canada. Robert Stanfield might be considered a hero for never betraying his “roots” in order to achieve higher political office. But according to the Wikipedia definition, most heroes would be women and men who are much, much less in the public eye.
Like the individuals who fought Toronto City Hall this past year to keep libraries open. Like Chief Theresa Spence and the people of Attawapiskat in their struggles with the government of Canada to establish and maintain 'reasonable' housing and living conditions for their community. (I am aware that Chief Spence may potentially be part of the problem but I believe she is trying to stand up for/ with her people as a mouse against a great elephant.) Or like many moms and dads who are called repeatedly to come up against the political bureaucracy and demand that the health and education of their children will receive priority attention. Folks like these are true heroes. Books will never be written about them. They will never receive rewards or any kind of public recognition. Thank goodness, despite this, they will persist.
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