Crossposted from Dennie's Blog

Everyone is a Hero, merely by the fact of having been born. The hero’s shape, however,  is largely up to each ordinary individual when found under extraordinary conditions. In contrast is the idea of a role model—imitating another’s behavior. The media offers an opportunity to expand our notions, or by the same token, to firm up our preconceptions.

Week that was. One can scarcely remember the enormity of worldwide news events as in the last four days of April. The greatest PR went to the royal wedding, marred by the horrific tornadoes in the US, leaving 300 dead. Then there was to be the final shuttle mission in the presence of the wounded Congresswoman and the President: at the last minute that got scratched. Shell and Exxon oil giants announced their greatest profits amid the gas escalation. Finally, the Pope exhumed John Paul II, to beatify his predecessor, thus expediting his rise to sainthood.

Lurking behind the headlines. One million people witnessed the wedding activities live, millions more around the globe watched it in Cyberspace: The Royal Channel, Facebook, flickr, Twitter, Google and YouTube carried the details. Behind the great jubilation, commentators likened the young Prince to his mother who captured the nation’s affection. Princess Diana, who won the hearts of the nation, only to be sidetracked by her divorce and tragic death, momentarily assuaged the Royal family’s fall from grace, due to its negative image and obsolescence. Prince William has become the nation’s idol, its hope to resurrect a less tarnished image of the monarchy. And his bride is a further symbol of a more robust and independent monarchy. Two days after the $35m wedding, Britons who were polled, believed Catherine, AKA Kate, will revitalize the monarchy. A lofty order.

“He restored to Christianity its true face as a religion of hope,” Pope Benedict declared at the beatification of John Paul, on Sunday, before a crowd of one-and-a-half million surrounding the Vatican. Pope John Paul II displayed much charisma from his worldwide appearances (the most traveled pope in history). Thus, the speeded up canonization offers a chance for the Church for a little reprieve from the fallout of its stained image due to the innumerable priest sexual scandals and the growing impatience with reform. But the elevation carries with it the undercurrent that many of the disgraces occurred during the former Pope’s 27-year reign.

Heroes & Role Models. Our mythologies, rooted in the past, persist. Heroes appear in every shape and form, exciting us for the moment, yet often preventing us from exploring what we might become. The principal male players in the wedding wore colorful military uniforms as high ranking officers. In the US, the military has become one of the major employment agencies for young men and women, countless breaking away from economically and socially disadvantaged families, seeking adventure and an active lifestyle. As far as religion goes, Pope John was revered throughout Christianity; a symbol of priestly calling. Yet Churches are being closed due to decreasing attendance and recruitment for the priesthood continues to decline.

We continually seek mock-ups, idealized figures to emulate, role models. Already the media has characterized the young British royal bride as a “Cinderella,” complete with coach and tiara. But not many young women can become a Princess. Nor can many young men become an astronaught. Yet everyone can, and dare I say must? become a decent human being. Each can become her or his own, distinctive hero.