Daybook Entry 6: Larger Than Life

Before you read:

My definition of a hero is someone who achieved beyond the extraordinary. They are
capable of putting themselves before others and they are selfless.
My childhood hero was Ho Chi Minh. Since first grade, I was taught to love him and
worship him. I was taught to be one of Hos children, I must be respectful of my family
and the government.
Pop culture celebrities are not heroes. They are role models because they lead a lifestyles
that earn admirations from their fans. In my opinion, heroes are timeless and they are
always remember throughout different generations. For example, Joan of Arc is a hero
because she is brave and everyone remember her. God is my hero because He is above all
extraordinary.
Literacy Connection
1. Baders state that heroes does not have to be real they could exist in books and legends,
make a list of your heroes, which are real, which are not real? do your list include more
real or unreal heroes? what do you think account that?
God- He is wonderful and amazing.
My aunt- she is one of the many boat people who escaped Vietnam after 1975. She is
always selfless and she always help others.
Empress Wu- she is the one and only female emperor in the history of China. Under her
authority, the Tang dynasty faced years of prosperity. She also gave more rights to
women so they can attend courts, hold different office positions, and they gained more
respect.
Everyone on my list is real heroes, and they are influential in my life. God is my faith and
He is my leader in everything that I do. I look up to Him and I follow His wisdom each
and everyday. My aunt is an amazing woman because she survived the trip from Vietnam
to the United States, and she have a real connection with me. Empress Wu is empowering
to me because she represent the ideal feminist even when she is not trying to be a
feminist. She ruled China as a woman, and she wasnt try to be or act like a man.
5. How can we read critically about the heroes that make up our culture? What would such a
reading involve?
1. We have to be able to pick what is real fact and what is myth. Most heroes should be
written in books instead of movies and social medias. We have to be What do you see as
the main idea that Jenny Bader trying to communicate on her essay on heroes? What is
the purpose of her essay?
The idea of having a hero is often influenced by social media, stereotype and
social preferences. The concept of hero doesn't always have to be someone with super
power, which was mostly influenced by Hollywoods. We often misjudge our idea of
heroes as someone who only exist in legends or movies, and we often underestimate the
existence of real life heroes. Society tends to value popular traits, such as having muscles,

a handsome face, a beautiful body, and authority. Bader wants to remind what real
heroism is, and it does not have always stereotype by society. Heroes still exist, and I can
feel her disappointment when people nowaday are unwilling to accept that they have
heroes.
2. What does Bader has to say about our disillusionment with heroes? What examples does
she offer to substantiate her claims?
We often uses iconic figures as our heroes as well as labeling different heroes
based on their race. For example, Bader said she cannot herolize a black person simply
because they are blac. Society have beginning to doubt the existence of heroes because
nowaday people would often feel uncomfortable to have or speak of their heroes.
3. Do you agree with Baders claim regarding our disillusionment with heroes? If you do,
what do you think account for the difference with the way many of us think today? If you
disagree with Bader, explain your argument.
I agree with Bader that we should not reject certain traits of heroism based on race
and gender. Our idea of hero is often too unrealistic because it is often influence by
Hollywood and popular culture. We also wrap our idea around the way a hero should
look rather than what they are have offer to society. I would say that heroes should be
determined based on their good deeds, such as important inventions, saving someones
life, or achieving something extraordinary.
able to read about a hero and have a connection with them through their emotions, their
drives, their deeds, and their success. instead of seeking out popular heroes, we should
read non-fiction books that could have people that have done heroic things but are not
considered to be heroes because they are not popularized.
Reflection
This particular article intrigues me because until i read this article, I didnt think
that I myself have heroes. I always have an idea of what a hero should be like but I didnt
really form my own opinions. I personally believe that there are so many people out there
who should be considered heroes, such as a fireman, policeman, soldiers, and
missionaries. These people sacrificed their own safety and comfort in order to save
others. I feel sad that the people in my generations considered Bob Marley, Drake, Lil
Wayne, Beyonce to be there heroes. Heroes should be able to last forever, despite the
time, their victories and deeds should be remember forever. I am aware that famous
celebrities could always be remember because of the heavy amount of information they
have stored, but I dont believe that any of them will stand the test of times.