Heroes vs. Warriors
Who should we trust to lead a nation?
The lead-up to the November election continues to provide fodder for writers, podcasters, and social media users. I am no exception, but my writing tends to be rather cerebral than informational. And this piece is going to be that way, for sure.
The yard signs of various sizes have become the white noise of my drive around town, fading into the omnipresence of familiar roads. One phrase stood out to me recently. Underneath the name of one of the senatorial candidates, it says, “American Warrior.” I have received enough of this candidate’s flyers in my mailbox to know they refer to his military service. I began pondering aloud to my son about the definition of a warrior and contrasting it with what it means to be a hero. While my son quickly lost interest in my ramblings I have continued to think about this subject.
Here is what I boiled the difference down to.
A hero is someone willing to put themselves at risk to save others from dangerous or difficult situations.
A warrior is someone willing to put themselves at risk to defend an ideal.
Warriors are a vestige of nations, the power of an army used to intimidate and defeat what is declared as an enemy. For centuries warriors have been doing battle for causes as clear as land and others as lofty as freedom. Battles have raged across the globe in the name of tyranny and benevelence alike. And the one who controls the information can easily sway people into a belief that they are threatened and have just cause to send warriors out into the world.
An “American Warrior” would be someone willing to take a stand on behalf of America. “Stand beside her and guide her”, as the song declares.1 Defend her against enemies foreign and domestic, says the Army Oath of Enlistment. The warrior is one willing to go to war, to face the possibility of death. Warriors can become heroes, but not all heroes are warriors.
During the height of COVID, medical professionals and essential workers were deemed heroes. Paramedics and firefighters are often given the title of hero. An act of heroism can occur in day-to-day life and in extremity. It can happen on an individual or communal scale. In all of it there is an element of selflessness on behalf of humanity.
It is unfortunate to me that there is a need for warriors. That warriors must defend the weak because of the cruelty of the powerful. So many groups of people have been othered by regimes, dismissed as threats for have specific skin colors, religions, or genders. Sadly the greatest threat to humanities wellbeing is humanity. I do not know if warriors are the best people to be in government. Yes they may defend us against threats, but are they imagining and creating threats that don’t actually exist. I don’t know that there is a right answer in this conversation. It’s just something I am pondering.
For the Ears
While my daughter listens to song from Frozen and Frozen 2 on repeat, I have been listening to the newest album from AURORA, the artist who sang The Voice that calls to Elsa in the second movie.
For the Eyes
Some of my farming neighbors planted a whole field of sunflowers, and it was at its peak at the end of August.
Can you tell where the sun is, based on these two pictures?
For the Taste Buds
Since my children were small I have stocked the firdege with whole milk, rich and creamy, filling their growing bodys with fat, protein, and calcium. We go through a minimum of 4 gallons a week. Recently my children learned about skim milk, and they have wondered why such a thing exists. To be honest I associate it with the dieting culure of my mother and grandmothers generation. My google search did not reveal any conclusive evidence of skim milk being better than full fat. So I will continue to purchase the milk that is my preference. It is my hope to teach my children a balanced diet that than fat = bad, sugar = bad, etc.
How do you handle the conversation around fat?
May this week bring self-control to your senses and your soul.
Caitlin- I enjoyed this deeper deconstruction on hero v. warrior. You’re right in that they’re not always so easily differentiates from one another. A great way to end my week for sure. How are you and the family doing? Cheers, -Thalia
Hi Caitlin! Liked your ponderings about warriors and heroes - both needed in life, but perhaps, someone most "selfless" could lead us best in all realms :) Who might that be? IHNI!!!
Loved the sunflowers leaning into the SUN too and re: MILK - YES - children of all ages need good fats for brain development! I STILL have a hard time weaning off of the full-fat milk I had as a child - no other good way to drink my 1 cup of coffee in AM without CREAM! hugs!