Earning the name of hero

Letters published recently in this newspaper differed over the use of the word "hero." Apparently, the word means different things to different people. Perhaps we need different words for different degrees of heroism. But we only have the one word, and we sometimes bestow the accolade of heroism on those who don't really deserve it.

The ancient Greeks worshipped an assortment of heroes who possessed superhuman powers, much like today's pantheon of comic book superheroes. Greek heroes starred in myths of epic proportions, told in story and verse, that stirred the imaginations of mere mortals. In a similar vein, we are captivated by the entertainers, athletic champions, and other assorted celebrities who animate our popular culture. Well, they may be talented, they may be strong, their exploits may be entertaining...but they aren't hero material in my opinion.

If I could have my way, I would reserve the word hero for someone who risks life or limb in service of a humane purpose or principle. Wars inevitably produce heroes. So do disasters like Katrina. Our firefighters and police officers often perform heroic acts--putting themselves in harm's way to rescue us from danger and protect us from criminal threats.

Few set out to become heroes. But when circumstances call for heroic action, there are those who step forward. Their courage earns our admiration.

And let's not overlook the history of nonviolent conflict, which has also produced heroes. In 1930, followers of Mohandas Gandhi, in a show of civil disobedience, marched on the Dharasana salt works in protest of British rule--as exemplified by an unfair salt tax. The unarmed marchers were brutally clubbed by police in a scene that drew worldwide attention and ultimately led to Indian independence. In 1957, nine teenagers in Little Rock, Arkansas, braved taunts and death threats to become the first black students to enroll in the city's all-white Central High School.

In 1973, a crew of Greenpeace activists were attacked by French commandoes as they attempted to sail into a French nuclear testing zone in the South Pacific. And in 1997, Julia Butterfly Hill climbed a 180-foot redwood to begin what would become a two-year vigil to save a stand of the ancient trees from destruction.

It is with this historical thread of nonviolent action that I link Jesse Perry, an Attleboro youth who recently opposed plans to cut down two old maple trees to make room for a lacrosse field. On the morning that the trees were scheduled to be cut down, rather than going to school, Jesse climbed one of the trees and made his position known to city authorities and a police officer. I wouldn't say that Jesse's actions rose to the level of heroism, since he was not at great physical risk. But it was an act of civil disobedience in service of a noble cause. For a 14-year old to commit such an act is commendable, to say the least.

While he disobeyed the rules, he was willing to take the consequences, and so he earned the respect even of those who disagreed with his position. By risking punishment and perhaps humiliation to protect the environmental assets of his neighborhood, Jesse showed moral courage.

If there is a place of honor below that of true heroism, let's reserve it for those who follow Jesse's example. If we could all strive for moral courage, we might avoid many calamities, large and small.