We Need Our Heroes Back

We Need Our Heroes Back

 
by Jackie Chea

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For generations of the world, storytelling revolved around ideals.


Now- in our quest for realism- we have destroyed the ideals, but we’ve also missed the mark on reality. Even in real life, not EVERY person is hopelessly dysfunctional.


Not everyone is an addict. Not everyone is an abusive parent…or a misogynist…or a tyrant…or sexually confused.

 
Yet, those are the personalities Hollywood focuses. If you watch enough media, you’ll think it’s universal.


There are almost no idealistic heroes left.


Heroes in storytelling served a real purpose, however- even if they weren’t really achievable. They gave us something to strive for.

 
I’m not talking about Superman or Batman (Lord knows we have enough of those). I’m talking about the brave person who triumphs over real evil and doesn’t let their neuroses and weaknesses rule their decision making. Sometimes that might take the form of an Aragorn and sometimes it might be a George Bailey.


A real hero is a person with great inner strength that comes not just from “being themselves” or “owning their truth,” but from championing greater virtues than themselves.

 
They often don’t even consider themselves.


Almost every story now is laser-focused on a character’s journey of self-discovery rather than selflessness.

 
We need some stories of the old ideals again- characters kids can emulate because of great sacrifices and lofty goals.


We need our heroes back. //


Adapted with permission from Jackie Chea (Twitter: @Fair_and_Biased). See more of her content at: http://fairandbiased.blog




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