This week's blog is an opinionated article from “Ezinearticles.com” titled “America’s Heroes” by Danette M. Scott. The article begins with a discussion on how when we were children we “mocked” our superheroes by pretending to save the day and dressed-up in costumes on Trick or Treat. Those Superheroes saved lives, helped the less fortunate, and “defended democracy”. Then, Danette brings us to the modern hero that we now mimic. He uses examples such as “Britney Spears” to make the point on how she is considered a hero, but what did she do other than have a talented voice and do drugs that led others down the path of trying to be their “hero” by imitating drug use and nudity. Some questions to ask yourself. Has the idea of a hero been changed in America? To what extent, does a celebrity deserve the right to be called a hero? Do you think that today's admiration of celebrities is reversible and that there is hope that good people will be the most prominently looked up to again?
http://ezinearticles.com/?Americas-Heroes&id=1063829
- Steph, Wes, Olivia, Tien
The thing about this article that really bothered me was when the author stated, "The only true heroes left in American society today are those brave men and women still serving in Iraq and Afghanistan." When I read that I thought to myself, how narrow minded can this person be? There are plenty of other heroes out there- policemen, firefighters, politicians- just to name a few. Oh and what about all of the fallen soldiers and war veterans? I suppose they aren't heroes either? Just because they arent STILL serving in Iraq and Afghanistan? I guess what I'm trying to say is that the author of this article really needs to take a step back and think about what they are saying because that comment was extremely ignorant and untrue.
ReplyDeleteThe blog makes me think that perhaps we are too quick to make heroes of people or maybe the heroes of today have become too disappointing. Maybe if we care to find out whether the people we call heroes consider themselves as one, we will understand why they act the way they do.By the way, who are the heroes to those we call heroes? If they do have heroes of their own, they might be "mocking" them too.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many things off with this article I don't even know where to begin.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I have never heard anyone refer to Britney Spears as a hero, and I doubt the author has either. "Hero" is not synonymous with "celebrity", "role model", or anything else that she implies. The entire article is moot. I thinks she KNOWS that she doesn't know what she's talking about. She's not even sure whether she's writing about superheroes or mortal ones. Or she possibly can't distinguish. Is the author sixteen?
As for the bit about mimicking, I don't think the author did any reasearch at all. A child actively imitating someone in imaginitive play can't be compared to "kids today strutting around half naked" because of various influences in their upbringing. Personally, my little sisters mimick characters like Link from the Legend of Zelda series, or someone from Harry Potter. This author is just projecting anger and ignorance all over the place.
Then she goes on about the military? Don't get me started. I can't take the article seriously.
I didn't have a huge problem with this article in the first two paragraphs. As the article continues, however, the author's examples of persuasion don't work and can be seen as offensive. I feel like that the author is trashing our generation more than trying to explain her idea of heroism.
ReplyDeleteShe contradicts herself when she absolutely bashes today's "heroes" (Britney Spears, Mike Tyson), then she says that we really do have honorable heroes in the last paragraph. She completely misses all the points I think she's trying to make.
As far as analyzing her diction, I don't think the author is trying to sound as offensive as she comes off. She's just not a strong writer in this article. It shows me what not to do for my papers.
I agree with amy when she says that there are more heroes in america than just the one over in Iraq. I said this before that firefighters put there lives on the line also. Not taking anything away from people in the army and navy i think they are heroes as well. I think that the hero definition in america has changed big time it went from just being a super hero to now celebs sports figures etc. I think some celebs can be looked at as heroes like ones that actually do things to better the community.
ReplyDeleteWhen the author begins to talk about our generation's heroes as Britney Spears or those who do drugs and get locked in jail, she jumps to the conclusion that we see them as "heroes". Individuals only mimic celebrities because they don't get severly punished for their actions like a normal individual would. This special treatment is spread to people's homes via television shows, magazines, even newspapers and America's youth are faced with the "hey you're cool if you do this.." and it amplifies into "hey lets see if we can get away with this like them...". The individuals who choose to walk down this route probably don't even have a hero since they are trying to hurt themselves instead of making themselves and society better. Sure celebrities can be considered heroes because everyone has different values and standards that they look up, but it doesn't mean everyone's hero is a celebrity.
ReplyDeleteThis author seems to be speaking for himself and not most of the people that could be reading his articles. Just speaking for myself I don't believe that people like Britney Spears or Mike Tyson should really have the title of hero and I believe the better word for these two would be role model. The line: "Today's heroes are not bullet proof and immortal, but they are truly heroes" also generalizes heroes. Who is this author to say what a true hero is? Soldiers and armed forces do make the standard of a "hero" being strong and helping many people, however one person could not possibly know the true definition of a "hero."
ReplyDeleteThis article is clearly very much so an opinionated article, and I find that he has an image of what should be a hero. His view of a hero is someone who risks their own lives to save other (the soldiers that are fighting in the war). Now I don't disagree with him, I also believe that the soldiers are also heros but that's not the ONLY "type". In this article he assumes that the readers think the same way that he does, which of course is the the case.
ReplyDeleteBy using and example of Britney Spears as a hero is not accurate at all. I don't think that she is a hero, and not once have I read or heard anyone use the word of hero to describe her. She was given an image by the media to be perfect at a young age and over the years that constant pressure of the media she obviously cracked. I think that the youth of these days are smart enough, and know enough not to look up to someone like her. She's not a hero, as Dannette describes her to be.
In his article he's saying that it's ok to kill people because your told to, whether the reasons behind is are right or wrong, but if someone become crazy due to constant pressure, and her big "fall" was of course capture on camera...that makes them bad people?
A celebrity deserves to be call a hero, just like anyone else once they do something that helps other. Like Oprah, using her wealth to help others. It's hard to put all celebrities in a generalized hero category cause each celebrity gained the spot light for different reasons, whether is was good or bad. I think the idea of a hero is being stretched these days and it's our own perception of other people that will continue to control that image.
The article is quiet hilarious. When I reached the paragraphs about young generation viewing Britney and Mike Tyson as the "heroes". I'm pretty sure her deifnition of hero is quiet a extrodinary one. And when I noticed the article was posted in 2008, nobody will agree with her opinion only if the possiblity of beliving her a 8th grader.
ReplyDeleteI agree with corey there are other heroes than just people who fight for our country, but i think the blog was trying to explain how these figures are some of the best examples of heroes because of the risks they take. Sometimes we praise people who have done nothing to earn their reward.
ReplyDeleteBianca hit the nail right on the head. i also have never headr britney described as a hero. the best comment i've heard about her is "i don't like her as a person but i love her music." i've never heard anyone say they want to be just like her shaved hair and all. and when it comes to mocking heroes this author is staight ignorant. they're just kids, if they want to act like superman let them act like superman. what the hell is the big deal?
ReplyDeleteThe modern views of what we consider to be a hero have drastically changed over time. Celebrities are now being looked at and considered as heroes often time because they signed a paper that says the support PETA or are against global warming. Being a hero is not about demonstrating to the public certain actions that may be considered "heroic". Being hero involves helping others at all times and not caring whether or not you are publically recognized. Celebrities like Matt Damon and Alicia Keys are two of the few celebrities that fall into this category of heroism, with their great support of groups such as “Hope for Haiti” and “Keep a Child Alive”. If we are going to continue to consider celebrities as heroes then there needs to be more of them that take on the same attitude as Matt and Alicia. Otherwise all we will be promoting are negative lifestyles for future generations. I do believe the number of celebrities that truly show heroism is increasing and has the chance to increase if their focus shifts from caring so much about themselves to more about others.
ReplyDeleteI do not think that the author can tell heroes from idols. Children who imitate Brintney Spears and Mike Tyson not because they are heroes, is because they like the superstar, they want to be super star. And the author's definition for heroes is kind of narrow. I think there are a lot of heroes in our society, are all the heroes fight in Iraq and Afghanistan? Of course not.
ReplyDeleteThe Overall argument of this post is that as a Society, we have changed our expectation for a hero. It seems like, that we choose our heroes from what’s big on the media. Which I don’t really agree on at all. I believe that we watch celebrities for their entertainment only and not for the heroic behavior. If we like to watch or listen to someone doesn’t mean we see them as heroes.
ReplyDeleteThis is an opinionated article but I do know people who consider anyone a hero. The problem is we all don't ALL see eye to eye.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the article. I remember dressing up and pretending be a superhero saving the day. Our view on superheros has been skewed in the wrong direction. Sure Brittney Spears is talented but I do not view her as a hero. Abusing drugs and posing nude I do not think represents heroism. A hero helps out others, a hero doesn't lead teenagers down the wrong path. Nowadays, people view celebrities as heroes where as I believe the heroes are the doctors that are saving lives and helping out others.
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