00′s – “The Decade from Hell” or “The Decade of Heroes”? by Eric Bryant
eric posted on December 30, 2009
00′s – “The Decade from Hell” or “The Decade of Heroes”? by Eric Bryant
I guess I hadn’t really thought of the first decade of the new millenium in such pessimistic terms, but according to Time Magazine, “the first 10 years of this century will very likely go down as the most dispiriting and disillusioning decade Americans have lived through in the post–World War II era.”
They make a compelling case: Y2K, 9/11, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and the economic collapse just to name a few. (To read the entire article, go here).
In spite of or maybe the direct result of these incredibly difficult and even tragic moments and experiences, for some people this was the decade they chose to become heroes – the firefighters in NYC, the activists that have emerged, the humanitarian efforts of the global community, the soldiers who served courageously and with integrity, and the people who have sacrificed much to help their families and to help others. Maybe we could also make a case that this was the “decade of heroes.”
Would you agree with Time’s assessment?
What are the heroic moments you have seen?
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I like the ‘decade of heroes’ idea a lot. I think this has been a decade of transition into a very different century to the 20th. Most of the pain has been about radical changes in the world that we thought was so familiar and predictable. That’s over and this last decade has prepared us for a different world. This world will require heroes as those prepared to head into storms and dangerous territory in order to help people. Safety isn’t really an option for such heroes, only security in knowing who provides the only real safety. Sacrifices such as those of firefighters and peacekeepers will be necessary. As an optimist, this is an exciting time where heroes will shine and people will be rescued.
how we assess things depends so much on ones perspective. Are we fatalists or inspired. I would agree that many people in the last ten years have become disillusioned. The things that they have placed their comfort and security on have either been destroyed or badly dismembered It is in in this disorientation that reorientation and inspiration take root. It is in this soil that heroism takes root, the danger lies in what we do with hero’s. Do we become hero worshippers making them celebrities or, do we with determined effort conduct ourselves with greater courage and nobility. I agree with Time Magazines factual recounting of events and Eric’s insight of the noble reponse of indivuduals. The reality lies in our individual and corporate response.
You can make a case for either one-Hell or Heroes. But, the simple fact is do we see the glass half empty or half full? Obviously, natural disasters will dominate the headlines, heck, we still talk about the earthquake of 1989 in ways that it seem unimaginable- the destruction that took place in a matter of minutes that changed the lives of so many forever. 9/11 inflicted perhaps the most devastating blow to America this generation has ever witnessed. Katrina was devastating, no argument. But the stories of the Heroes in the midst of all that destruction went unnoticed for the most part.
And what about the Heroes of 9/11? Not just the firefighters but the everyday walk of life person who truly believes in lifting up a neighbor. Sure, we watch the news and the bad outweighs the good they televise by far; its all about viewership and ratings, right? Good deeds, “Heroes,” don’t attract the cameras nearly as much unless your a Hollywood personality, or a Bill Gates. Heroes are in the everyday walk of life. They’re are many. Eric has it right. Lets focus on the Heroes, the glass should been seen as half full. Drink up!