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Date Posted: 09:55:07 04/24/03 Thu
Author: e_mc2
Subject: I don't know if I can explain it so you'll understand
In reply to: indigo9 's message, "But what exactly was the heroic act here?" on 13:52:00 04/23/03 Wed

You might understand and not agree. Or I may lack the ability to explain it to your understanding. In any case, here is my response.

What I consider heroic regarding Jessica Lynch is based on my understanding of the term "heroic". (I will interchange forms of the word "hero".) To me, the term encompasses the notions of bravery and courage. While taking a wrong turn is obviously not a display of bravery or courage, I believe that the endurance of capture and torture are displays of bravery and courage. Whether she survived the capture and torture or not, I view her plight of such as an example of bravery and courage. Her exploits as a result of the wrong turn are what I consider to qualify her as a hero.

During her capture and torture, it is possible that she bawled her eyes out, cowered, assumed a fetal position - all of which are physical signs of a lack of bravery and courage. But to me, the act of enduring it, even if you react with fear, denote some aspect of bravery and courage. It is in the endurance that I find heroism (even if she had died).

I don't think that being a hero requires an active pursuit of danger or putting oneself in harm's way. I think it is possible to be brave and courageous (ie, heroic) without actually seeking out to be. I mean, I think one can, by circumstance, find themselves in a position that requires them to be brave and courageous. To me, the endurance of torture, physical or otherwise, ultimately requires of one some amount of bravery and courage.

And no, I don't think one has to survive - either a POW or a crime victim - in order to be considered brave and courageous. Neither do I think that in order to be a hero, the act must specifically be for the purpose of some greater good for another. To me, "heroic" signifies something beyond the norm. Some people see Michael Jordan as their hero based on his outstanding athletic ability. This is where the relativity factor comes in. He's not *my* hero. But he qualifies as a hero to some.

Some people see cancer victims as heroes for what they have to endure. Cancer victims don't seek the pain and torture that comes with the disease. But their endurance of it - even if they bawl and cower and assume a fetal position - is heroic to some, especially to those who love them.

Like I keep saying, "hero" is relative. You don't think Jessica Lynch is a hero. I do. I don't think MJ is a hero. My son does. I can no more define heroism *for you* as I can define beauty for you.

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