By What Standard?

Dr. King longed for the day when a man would be judged by the content of his character rather than the color of his skin. Indeed. If we ever do come to color blindness, what is the standard by which we will judge one's character.

So how should we pick our heroes? Should they be people with virtues? People with talents? People with money? People with influence? Someone that can give a good speech?

Most would say virtues, and yeah, virtues are good. But what is character? Integrity? Honesty? Generosity? Patience? Courtesy? Selflessness? Are those virtues that we would consider heroic?

The JetBlue flight attendant that recently popped his cork is described by some as a hero. Really? Why? Because he lacked self control? Because he lost his patience? Because he was offended? Because he was selfish? He was all of those things. No, those things aren't heroic and he wasn't a hero. Some have labeled him as a hero for being bold enough to do what we have all dreamed of doing. That's wrong too. Dead wrong. Real heroism is selfless and about others. He was just scratching his own itch.

Yes, we should stand up for injustice...but is there really any injustice on an airliner? Come on, really? You pay some money and get on a plane to go somewhere. Sometimes it is unpleasant. You don't like a particular airline? Fly on another airline. You don't like the security? Take the train. The point is that flying is a privilege, not a right. You don't like it? Don't do it. Not liking it and flamboyantly expressing that isn't heroic, it's stupid.

Is it heroic to take from one an give to another? Was Robin Hood a hero? Is the federal government heroic? Really? I don't think so. Fighting injustice? There's a fine line there. For most of the world living safely and warm and having enough to eat is a luxury. Ironically, most of the poorest people in America are also the most overweight. They have clothes. They have cars. They have cell phones. And yet we still take from the most successful to give the unsuccessful even more. They do need more, but not more stuff.

They need self-esteem. They need focus. They need discipline. They need guidance. They need character. They don't need a hand-out. They don't need free heath care. They don't need tax credits. They don't need pity. They need someone to believe in them strongly enough to expect more from them.

So who are the truly heroic? Who are those whose character has the content that Dr. King would have celebrated? You may disagree, but I think it is those that quietly earn a living, take care of their families, know right from wrong and teach it to their kids, donate to those less fortunate...not out of compulsion or guilt, but out of compassion, do the right thing when no one is looking, control their tongue, and care enough about others to expect more from them.

You want character? Expect more from yourself, and lift others up by expecting more from them, too.