Health & Fitness
More than a Mere Mortal?
Do today's kids believe they can surpass the accomplishments of history's greatest and brightest?
"And I believe we need heroes, I believe we need certain people who we can measure our own shortcomings by." - Richard Attenborough
On October 16th, 2011, thousands of people converged on Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. to attend the dedication ceremony for the Martin Luther, Jr. Memorial led by President Obama. If you want to visit the memorial, you'll need to locate 1964 Independence Avenue in the nation's capital, the official address of the monument. History buffs will quickly note the connection between the address and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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Visiting the monument is now on my list of things to do before my next birthday. While I see the monument as a good thing, I’ve often wondered if these types of tributes hamper future generations’ attempts to make change? In some circles, it's almost sacrilege to imply that the average person could ever match or surpass, the achievements of some of history’s giants.
Statues and holidays, named in honor of great men and women, play an important role in defining our culture. These public displays of respect and gratitude allow us to show our appreciation for these historical icons and in some cases, provide closure. But how concerned should we be with the unintentional messages we might be sending? When children believe that the accomplishments of their ancestors are somehow demonstrative of super godlike powers, those same children may set-aside thoughts of making similar contributions to society. It’s our job to make sure that doesn’t happen.
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No single individual can change the world. History has proven this simple truth. But with the support of dedicated people and a determination to improve the lives of others, ordinary people can achieve great things. So as we erect our statues and rename streets in someone’s honor, we must remember to teach our children about the ordinary men and women behind the godlike personas. I can't imagine any greater tribute we can pay to those who have paid the ultimate price for our liberties. Just a thought.
