Who is a hero? Unlike pornography, we don’t necessarily know it when we see it. The entirety of the WW2 soldier generation were declared heroes, the Greatest generation. Why? Because they won? Was it the cause? Anti-fascism? And today’s antifascists-antifa? In an authoritarian society, the forces of control are declared heroes. In reality, all people are capable of heroic acts. Soldiers and police can be heroes but they also can be cowards or bullies.
Is doing your job heroic? The essential workers working through the covid19 pandemic are recognized as heroes by many. EMT’s are high on many lists. Breonna Taylor was an award-winning EMT working at 2 hospitals during this quarantine period-a recognized hero. She was killed in a no-knock police raid at the wrong address for a suspect that was already in custody. Heroism is a behavior, serving the people in a time of plague is heroic.
Serve and protect? “It is the mission of the Louisville Metro Police Department to deliver professional, effective services, fairly and ethically, at all times, to all people, in order to prevent crime, control crime and enhance the overall quality of life for citizens and visitors.” Real heroes should be protected. Murdering heroes is not heroic. Sloppy and incompetent is not heroic. Breonna Taylor’s family is still calling for justice. City agencies live up to your mission. The forces of the state must be accountable. Charge the police!
Violets in the Grass 