But one by one, I lost faith in these so-called heroes. As I grew older, I found out they were not as perfect as I imagined. They committed crimes, were immoral or were not even real. It became difficult to call them my heroes because I felt some need to justify their hero-status to myself and others. It was hard to say I admired them EVEN THOUGH ______ (you fill in the blank).
Examples of indiscretions by heroes abound. Alex Rodriquez took steroids, Miley Cirus posed for racy pictures in Vanity Fair, and Michael Phelps was caught using a bong to smoke marijuana. All of these actions can cause fans, especially youngsters, to question their devotion to their idols.
In the article by Jenny Lyn Bader in the text, it says,"Heroes have become quaint, as old-fashioned as gas-guzzlers--and unwieldy, requiring too much investment and energy. Role models are more like compact cars, less glam and room but easier to handle." (p. 790)
I agree with this quote. I think that for the most part, our cynical nature has caused us to phase the traditional heroes out of our lives and replace them with people we know personally. We know these people are not perfect, but know they can't be as bad as the other guys we formerly idolized. Admiring these people requires less emotional investment because we know their character. Our class activity yesterday illustrated this point.
Hollywood understands this shift, and is making efforts to put forth character witnesses for up-and-coming stars. The other night I saw a few minutes of American Idol and was surprised to see the families of contestants backstage being interviewed immediately after each performance. I saw mothers saying, "I'm so proud of my son, even if he didn't do well," and "My daughter is just such a great person." Other examples of such testimony abound on TV.
So here are my questions to you: Has your hero ever let you down? Do you still idolize your heroes from your childhood? If not, who are your new heroes?
41 comments:
My heroes as a child were definitely Pocahontas and Mulan. They were amazing, and I still think they're awesome but they are not my heroes. Today my heroes are the people in my life I can count on, like my parents, family, boyfriend etc.
My heroes such as my family or church leaders definitely are still my heroes, but many of my "celebrity" heroes have indeed let me down. Previous opinions I had of them were tarnished when I realized that they didn't act like the wonderful characters I saw them acting out on screen. I still look up to things celebrities do that are good, or the messages they try to portray in some of their movies, but its hard to see them as heroes most of the time.
I still love my heroes from my childhood. spiderman, superman, and more were my heroes. they sometimes stumble, but they always seem to win in the end. i've never felt like they let me down. I still find the good qualities of the human character in these fictional characters.
I recognize that no one is perfect. I can hardly blame celebrities for making mistakes since many of them don't know drugs, alcohol, and promiscuous sex is wrong. However, there comes a point when most of us have a conscience and listening to it only protects us. I can still respect people for their strengths but I don't always like what they are doing. I've learned that my real heroes are those people in my life who have influenced me for good: my mom, my sisters, etc.
ditto to Kayleigh's comment above. Most celebrity's don't know that what they're doing isn't morally "right," so I can't blame them for it. I realize they're human, just like everyone else...doesn't mean I agree with what they're doing sometimes, but I realize they're human. My biggest hero today is my mother because of her great influence and life's example to me.
Remember that sweet 80's song: "I need a hero! He's gotta be fast and he's gotta be strong and he's gotta be ...dun-dun-du-du..." I don't remember all the words.
Well, that lady was on to something. We need Heroes that are strong even when hard times come. Hard times include temptation.
Not to sound preachy- but that's what is pretty cool about the scriptures. Lots o' heroes.
I honestly don't have celebrity heros anymore. Mine probably were the Disney princesses, but nothing really else. But as of now, my heros are the people in my life who have impacted me the most namely my grandfather.
Starting from when I was 7, Elvis was my hero. Then I learned of his death and drug problem...but I still listened exclusively to his music.
Then I learned of Elvis impersonators. That's what really ruined it for me.
my heroes have changed from my childhood probably because my values have changed and my understanding of life has changed.
My heros more recently have been family members and close friends. And yes, they've let me down. But honestly, the situations that have let me down have resulted in some type of discussion or act afterwards that have only increased my admiration and love for them. So despite them letting me down, they always seem to do something great that exceeds the mistake.
When I was a kid my heroes were the following: The Power Rangers, the entire 1995 Mariner's team (but especially Ken Griffy Jr.), and Martin Luther King Jr.
I was let down when I realized the Power Rangers weren't real, I was bummed when Griffy was traded(or as I took it "sold out"), and I haven't yet been let down by MLK.
I guess I learned, as well as everyone else, that what we see on TV isn't exactly reality. I was let down and was skeptical for a while with my false notions of celebrity images. But I guess at a certain point we realize that no one is perfect and that our heroes should be the people we know and love best. So, I still idolize MLK because he actually had a cause behind him. My new heroes though are my parents and my sister because they've been through a lot, but they've "carried on."
Booya erica. Go mariners. Did you know Griffy is coming back?
Naturally as we grow up and learn how the world really works we loose the mystic glamour that once surrounded out heros. It seems like our definition of hero changes as well. Those that we called heros as children are generally much different from what we would now call a hero. I think often times we associate individual actors too much with their roles or characters. The line becomes blurry and we forget to distinguish their real life with our perception of their character's life. I think that in this way our heros will more often than not let us down. However, when we realize that they are human too, they don't let us down, but they aren't a hero anymore either.
I stand by Jake on this one. While Luke Skywalker still has never let me down, the it's kind of nice to know the people you admire are real. And the scriptures are great for finding real people to admire...
I still idolize my childhood heroes. I think that while young and naive, everyone is a hero. So those I admired could do no wrong. As you get older, like mentioned, you come to the harsh truth that some people aren't what they appear, but that didn't change my perception because I saw them differently as a kid. Current heroes are those who take the time to do some good in the world. Those who wish to make changes and leave their mark. Regardless of fame or notoriety, they are peers and ordinary people.
My heroes are my family and church leaders. People are imperfect, but what I love about my heroes is that they are good people that I look up to and try to emulate. I'm glad I can count on them.
The real heroes in my life, including my family and others close to me still remain top on my list. But those celebrity heroes I had growing up have all lost my faith. Does anyone lead a decent life anymore? I know the heroes in my everyday life are real and honest. I know they make mistakes, but when they do they own up to it. Who can say that about most celebrities? The heroes in my life today inspire me to become a better person.
2 Nephi 4:34 "O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm."
This is of course true, but I still do have heros in which I look up to and admire. Heros that are imperfect, yet seem perfect. People that I look to and not only mimic but try to be like - one day. Why does it seem so much easier to put our trust "in the arm of flesh?" Do we ever think of ourselves as heros?
My heroes growing up were the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and they still maintain a squeaky clean image today and will never let me down. I also idolized the cast from Saved By the Bell especially Zach Morris. Luckily to my knowledge none of the characters from that show have been involved in any scandals with the exception of Screech I think. I have also idolized several musicians like John Lennon, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan and the beauty behind those types of idols is that no matter what they do you, they will always have a place in my heart because Im attached to their music. Celebrity idols are so far from reality that I cannot even force myself to believe in anything they say or do, no matter how real they may be in real life.
My heores have been in the sporting world, they have not let me down, but that is because they have always kept there word and stayed clean to the sport. They have also trained hard and done what they said they word. They had a thing called honour. Those people will always be my heroes.
My heroes as a small child were most certainly disney princesses, and although I still admire their abilities to win over prince charming, I have learned that my true heroes are my family and friends that have done so much for me. These are the people that will very rarely let me down.
My heroes growing up were probably Barney the Dinosaur, Scooby Doo, and the Power Rangers. They always inspired me to do great things and never ceased to let me down. My heroes now are my family. I don't really idolized people in the media anymore since most of them seem get DUI's every other week and lead completely screwed up lives.
I think i have always accepted the fact that most of my heroes had problems. I kind of compartmentalize what i like about my heroes with things that I know are stupid that my heroes do. I was really into skateboarding growing up... nuff said. My favorite skaters would just find enough time between drinking binges to hit a couple of rails and make a meager living. But i never really cared what they did between photo shoots... honestly I just cared if they had a sweet skate part or not.
I was basically one of those kids that found a hero in any fictional character that saved lives and protected the "good" from the "bad". As I grew up, those heroes were replaced, not for the recognition of flaws BUT with real life individuals that were easier to look up to because of the human characteristic that made them more like me. I'm not perfect and although I expect my hero to be "unflawed", I can't say I've ever been let down if they were. The more human my hero is, the more understanding I am of life.
There have always been stable heroes in my life like my mom and dad. It has been this way since I was little and I don't think that will ever change. However, some of the other heroes in my life have changed. I have always had different heroes throughout my life with the understanding that they are not stable.
not that he was my hero buuuut....i have to admit i was genuinely a little let down when i found out that chris brown (probably) abused rihanna. im skeptical of most celebrities, but from seeing him perform "say goodbye" on the Today show to watching him dance with those little boys in his music video, chris brown had me fooled.
I am ashamed of it now, but as a young teen my heroes were Hansons, Backstreet boys and Spice Girls.. And all of them let me down... I guess I don't even need to say why, because everyone knows what they did... I guess then, that after that I stopped believing that there were true heroes and from that time till today, my real heroes have been family members...
My heroes have changed over the years. As a kid I love superheroes especially superman. I had a suit as a kid and I even have one that fits me now. I'm glad to say that my heroes are my parents and grandparents. They all are leaving a great legacy that I hope to keep going with my family someday.
I still idolize my childhood heroes, but I feel like I have been very selective in who I actually elevate to 'hero' status. I worry sometimes that I might be let down, but I think that my choice in heroes has helped me to not be.
When I was younger my heros were Belle from Beauty and the Beast and the pink Power Ranger. I thought they stood up for what they believed in and were examples of strong women! As i grew older I realized my celebrity heros often let me down. Today my heros consist of the people I know would do anything and everything for me including parents, brother, close friends. They are real, tangible people in my life you have truly made a difference.
My hero is my mother. Mostly because she is imperfect but I recognize that she is constantly trying her best. I don't need her to be a shining perfect example, I just need her to be her. It's all about perspective...Every time I think that she's possibly let me down, I realize that I didn't see the entire picture.
Putting your faith in idealistic heroes will always let you down. No one is perfect, no matter how great they look on screen and I think this 'cynical' shift in our view of heroes is actually a needed one. My heroes growing up were the spice girls. 100%. We dressed up like them and had concerts daily, watched spiceworld daily and never stopped speaking british. Thankfully I've realized that even baby spice gets old and a little chubby. With age you come to realize your own fallibility and I think it is good to apply this to your hero-worship as well.
Steve Young was one of heroes as a kid. It's interesting because now I know he's not perfect, but I still like him because of what he meant to me as a kid. I think you can forgive your heroes of their shortcomings and although you don't look at them the same way, you are not crushed for life.
I would have to say that I have asked myself the same question: how can I call anyone a hero today if they do things that seem to go completely against what I thought there character was. One pool of thought causes us to cut them a break, they are only human and will make mistakes, as we heard in our class discussion on Michael Phelps. The other pool of thought is that since this is such a consistant thing than we might as well do away with heros and collect some role models but only in selective aspects. My thoughts are that the true heroes are the ones that we mentioned in class, namely our family members and church leaders. Those are strong examples of people that have shown incredible amounts of integrity and have never compromised without having felt remorse. We all make mistakes, we are human. A true hero is someone that recognizes that and tirelessly works to correct that in themselves. Christ paid for our sins and this call for us to recognize the good in all but not to confuse that will all that is good. Pop culture has silently scorned those that look to religious figures as heroes, but those are the best people that I know, people I try to emulate. I am old fashioned and look for heroes in those around me.
Unless you're talking about a fictional character like Superman, or the Savior Himself, nobody is perfect. Not even my Father. That said, I still do idolize my childhood heroes despite their shortcomings.
I think our class is particularly keen on looking for the extraordinary in the ordinary people around us. As such, our heroes are most often brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers. I can't honestly say that these people have NEVER let me down. I can, however, say that my admiration for them grows the more I get to know them.
I try to find my heroes in my family life and in the church. I've never been one to read biographies of people or really follow a certain celebrity's life, and I don't really feel comfortable relying on someone or respecting them if I don't know what they are like--past just what they are known for.
i think heroes are just something that has phased out of my life as i have gotten older. i think its just a part of growing up. sad but true
I use to love action movies and movie stars such as sylvester stallone and jean claude van damme, but after realizing that all of them used steriods to become the macho men that they are I was disappointed to say the least. Now, I wouldn't know who to tell you my real icon's or hero's are. I guess I still love the idea of having something to shoot for in life but I suppose I make up that person as I grow. I try to take parts of each icon and make some sort of mutant.
I don't really remember having heroes as a kid. But as for now, I'm never really surprised when someone in the media is criticized because people make mistakes.
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