Explanation of the Issue
Moral narratives of heroism are often used to obscure the collective responsibility of individuals and institutions that perpetuate injustices in society. These stories focus on the actions of one exceptional person who acts alone to save others from harm or fight against oppression, rather than highlighting the systemic issues that contribute to these problems. By elevating the individual hero, they can distract from the broader social structures that create inequality and allow individuals to feel disconnected from their own power to effect change. This can lead to complacency and a lack of engagement in addressing larger societal issues, which is a major contributor to the persistence of injustice. In this essay, I will explore how moral narratives of heroism function as a tool for obscuring collective responsibility and what alternative approaches might be more effective in combating injustice.
The Role of Heroes in Moral Narratives
Heroes play a central role in many cultural mythologies and stories, both ancient and modern. In these tales, the hero typically embarks on a quest or journey to overcome challenges and save those in need. They may face adversity, but ultimately emerge victorious through their courage, strength, or intelligence. While these stories can inspire us with their themes of perseverance and resilience, they also have a darker side. By focusing exclusively on the actions of one extraordinary person, they can obscure the roles of ordinary people in creating positive change and undermine efforts to challenge unjust systems.
Consider the popular superhero genre, where individuals possessing superhuman abilities fight crime and defend innocent civilians from harm. These stories often present the protagonist as an outsider who must battle against powerful forces alone, without any help from others. The villains are portrayed as evil and malicious, with little nuance or complexity, making it easy to identify them as the source of all problems. This simplistic view of justice does not acknowledge the systemic factors that contribute to crime and violence, such as poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. Instead, it reinforces the notion that individual action is the only solution to social ills, which can lead to a lack of interest in addressing larger issues.
Historical narratives about great leaders or revolutionaries can distract from the collective effort required for progress by highlighting the actions of a single individual.
The story of Rosa Parks has been told countless times in schools across America, emphasizing her refusal to give up her seat on a bus and sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
This focus on a single act fails to recognize the broader organizing efforts of Black women who were already engaged in anti-racist activism at the time. By narrowing the story down to one heroic figure, it risks erasing the contributions of other activists who worked tirelessly towards change.
Obscuring Collective Responsibility
By elevating the role of heroes above all else, moral narratives obscure our collective responsibility to work towards positive change. They imply that individuals are powerless to effect meaningful change unless they possess extraordinary abilities or take bold actions that deviate from societal norms. This can create a sense of helplessness and despair among those who feel unable to match the feats of these superheroes or pioneers. It also perpetuates the idea that progress comes from exceptional people rather than collective action, leading to complacency and apathy amongst those without such abilities.
Moral narratives of heroism can contribute to a culture of individualism and competition, where everyone is pitted against each other to achieve their own goals. This approach undermines the importance of collaboration and cooperation, which are essential for creating lasting solutions to complex problems. Instead, we must recognize the interconnected nature of social issues and work together to address them holistically, through policy changes, community organizing, and grassroots movements.
Alternative Approaches
To combat injustice effectively, we need to move beyond moral narratives of heroism and focus on collective responsibility. One promising approach is to highlight the stories of everyday people who have made significant contributions to their communities. These individuals may not possess superhuman powers or have achieved worldwide recognition, but their impact is no less valuable. By amplifying their voices and stories, we can inspire others to see themselves as agents of change and motivate them to take action.
It is important to recognize the systemic factors that contribute to injustice, such as racism, sexism, and class inequality. These structures cannot be overcome by one person alone; they require sustained efforts over time. We need to engage with these issues through education, advocacy, and political activism, working towards long-term change at all levels of society. By doing so, we can create a more equitable and just future for all.
How do moral narratives of heroism obscure collective responsibility for injustice?
The concept of moral narrative often revolves around stories of individuals who make extraordinary efforts to overcome obstacles and achieve something great. These narratives often focus on the individual's struggles, personal traits, and achievements, rather than on the larger social forces that shape their experiences. This can lead to a narrow and simplistic understanding of justice, where we view individuals as responsible for overcoming systemic barriers and achieving success through their own hard work and talent.