Just as grade inflation has eroded the meaning of academic success, so too has an overuse of the words like ‘hero’ and ‘courage’ undercut appreciation for what a hero really is. Celebrities, America’s 0.001%, like to be treated as heroes and are worshipped by their fans as such, but more often than not, they are more coddled and spoiled than heroic. Charity workers may be altruistic, but that’s not the same as heroic. Journalists, for their part, often confuse narcissism with heroism as they promote cults of personalities.
When someone has been a real hero, however, their actions stand the test of time. Many readers of AEIdeas are probably familiar with Sir Nicholas Winton, a young British financial specialist who, as a young man of 29 in 1938, cut short a ski vacation to travel to Czechoslovakia to help Jewish children under threat by the Nazis, but if not, this video is a must-watch. Mr. Winton’s homepage is here, and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum’s discussion of his work is here.
Like many true heroes, Winton eschewed the limelight. He did not even tell his wife about his effort and actions; she discovered them by chance when she came across an old scrap book in the attic shortly before his 80th birthday. If only the world today had more heroes (and politicians, and public intellectuals, and celebrities) who let their actions speak louder than words.
On the occasion of his 106th birthday, let us all congratulate him, express our appreciation not only for the children he saved, but for the model of behavior he provides, and let us hope that the Nobel Committee will someday recognize that actions are more important than aspirations or political posturing when awarding true men of peace. Happy Birthday, Sir Nicholas!
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