In the play, The Life of Galileo, German playwright, Bertolt Brecht, had the character of Galileo say: “Unhappy is the land that needs heroes”. This quote has often been invoked by many a writer, conveying a message of disarray, of shortcomings and the redemption that followed or the lack of it, or the implementation of new methodologies with their numerous benefits, or the inception of valuable creativity and discoveries in science and medicine, arts and culture, by which man’s meaningful life is enhanced and strengthened, if not defined. In the play, it was a correction to a statement delivered by another character, who said, “Unhappy is the land that has no heroes”. Quite clearly, should there be a need for a hero, something needs fixing; something is causing harm; something is stagnant and requires ebullient energy to facilitate improvements or, in a more somber angle, the state of human sensibilities has exceedingly advanced to a moldering state, perhaps even down to simple living, in which relationships and interactions can change surprisingly from the mundane, tame and discerning, to the profligate, vitriolic and catastrophic.When the Nazi Buchenwald concentration camp was being liberated on April 11, 1945, 18-year-old Feodor Mikhailichenko, a Russian, shielded 8-year-old Israel Meir Lau, nick named Lulek, from German gunfire. He stole and cooked potatoes for this very young lad, and knitted him wool earmuffs to protect him from the bone-penetrating cold. The Russian looked after him daily like a father, and was befittingly proclaimed hero by the boy.
We all know the tragedy of that period, and plainly, of evil dreams’ devastating claws. They can consume a family, a group, a community, a country.
Not straying farther from home, Efren Penaflorida, a new, modern-time hero has responded to the circumstances of his period, scrutinizing, feeling, and grappling with the challenges of a familiar, yet, abhorrent environment, though instrumental in tapping his humanitarian and creative skills for the sake of many.
Filipino history books cite quite a number of heroes. To have so many, speaks of the depth of oppression, and of how much normalcy and decency have eluded the daily life of a nation. Our heroes depict the conditions of their time, conditions that prompted brave tirades and clenched fists aching in hopelessness and yearning for justice, whilst most citizenry recoiled in fear, whilst laughter escaped victimized homes, whilst reforms seemed far-fetched, and whilst human intellect and emotions could no longer endure. Dilemmas replaced peaceful minds; persecution invited sacrifices instead of submission. What dire circumstances!
Heroes need not only be for the multitude, though certainly for posterity. Most of us can name a personal hero, one unknown to others, but to us, it is the blood that flows in our veins. And there are unnamed heroes whose souls were never trumpeted, nonetheless, as important, worthy of respect and praise. From them, surely: a moment saved, an adversity avoided, a struggle ended and hope renewed.
In the better known version of heroism, while not unexpectedly because of the number of beneficiaries involved, the hero’s choices entail hard work and commitment. Imperatively, there is character. His options have roots originating from situations that deteriorated over time. Ignorance, profligacy, protean coalition of ideas compromising egalitarian ethos, selfish ambitions, poor governance, crime, and many more human weaknesses are triggers for either good or more evil to arise. We rejoice at the good that springs; but, this needs facilitators, and to the fullest extent, heroes. But why does man push things too far or neglect responsibilities that a hero should come to the rescue? Why not aim for the best so that if things do not go a hundred per cent, the degree of failure is not penetratingly disastrous. Why not prefer and mold an environment where most, if not all, can live in peace and be happy. Why not at least work sincerely and with dignity towards it. It is not impossible. Happy is the land where no heroes travail.
By: Jenny
