Recently, much attention was given to the story of homeless man Ted Williams and his instant rise to fame with his undeniable appealing announcer-like voice. Williams was living on the streets when a local reporter recorded video of his golden radio voice and posted it on YouTube. Long story short; the video went viral (I’m talking epidemic viral- millions of views in under a day) and garnered the panhandler instant notoriety. The success of the video not only launched Williams into the spotlight, it was resulted in various (and likely lucrative) job offers.
With the heinous shootings in Arizona this week (which I will discuss in a forthcoming post), there has been a lot of discussion about heroism. Williams is by no means a hero in my book. His success is the product of a natural ability, a technologically saturated environment, and the public’s love of the underdog story. But within his story is the portrait of a true hero.
When discussing the original Williams story, one of my colleagues directed me to another story that had come out: LINK. In short, Williams (caught in a cycle of habitual drug use) separated from his wife, Patricia Kirtley, 23 years ago and left her with four daughters to raise. Kirtley not only raised the daughters, she also took in Williams’ son that he had fathered with another (also drug user) women and raised him too. One more thing- she’s partially blind. Two words: inspiring and heroic.
The reality is that the knowledge of Kirtley’s travails never would have emerged without Williams’ innate talent. However, it that doesn’t make it any less important. Heroism is often conflated with fame and the two are most certainly not mutually exclusive. I believe Kirtley’s story highlights the key tenants of heroism- the ones that I strive to emulate in my life: sacrifice, service to others, and perseverance to name a few.
This story resonated with me for two reasons. The first is the ironic and stark contrast to Williams’ emergence on the national scene. The public initially crowed about this man’s turn of good fortune (I’ll admit, I was one of them) because he was homeless and had fallen on hard times. While no one called his situation “heroic” per se, many were drawn into his narrative and were happy when the attention he received gave him a path away from homelessness. The ironic element is that while Williams’ story (and voice) granted him a life-changing opportunity, it is his wife’s story that is most compelling to me. Hers is the tale glowing in pathos and illustrates the traits that create our understanding of courage.
The second reason is that her story refocused my attention on the everyday hero. It’s easy to forget the Kirtley’s story is not uncommon. Mothers, fathers, grandparents, brothers, sisters, friends and others fight everyday to support those in need. And often times they will overcome the most daunting of challenges to help another. But while there are many of these stories, we need a face, an actual story, to help us comprehend real issues many of us endure on a daily basis. What most affected me with Kirtley’s story is the factual manner in which she described her experiences. So plainly and directly that I know that she never once came close let these overwhelming negative factors beat her- these factors that might have broken and defeated another. Hero.
Acts of heroism occur every day. The mother working two jobs. The father not eating dinner so his children can eat. The friend being there in a time of despair. We’ve heard them time and time again but that doesn’t make them any less inspiring. And stories like Patricia Kirtley help remind us they are real and help me face the challenges that arise in my life.
from tom
ReplyDeletehero is a word open to so many interpretations that it is as hard to define as happiness or love or anguish. it's awkward to base a point of view on who is not a hero. it is easier to give examples of heroism. it is clear in the 2nd half of your blog what behavior your feel is heroic. the raising of 5 kids in difficult circumstances is admirable----deserving of respect.
people must live with the cards they are dealt; they are born with some genetic potentials which are modified by the effects of how they grow up
life is not a level playing field. those born with some combination of wealth, cognitive skills, physical/mental health are born with assets rarely matched by those born in poverty,mentally/physically illness or with cognitive impairments.
we know very little of these people's potential in life---
TW was born with a skill for speaking. he had the apparent capacity to develop a career until he was 30yo. he was able to form a relationship and have children [who he may have supported for 7 years]]. he had the capacity for work, marriage, family, & housing. he also had the genetic potential for mental illness. that potential, once triggered, led him to live on the street w/o employment or supportive relationship. several arrests for petty crime reduced chances to work. if his using treatment had left him intact enough to use his verbal talent [and if a job is offered] he will have survived 23 destructive years . but, as of the 16th he is back to rehab for alcohol abuse.
PK has a physical disability and the potential to overcome it. she used highly effectively her intelligence, health, endurance and capacity for intimacy. she was able to maintain a family and use her social network to achieve more education and attain a job. the functional use of her potential aided 5 children to grow up more able to use their capacities/
skills/potentials. she didnt survive, she grew.
[nb:sociological issue of women headed Black households as no man mentioned PK's family either. psychological issue of improved family survival if the mentally ill members leave home]
checking the news articles in google, people don't think of TW as a hero but an 'alcoholic', 'petty criminal', 'panhandler' who might have a '2nd chance' which is rare given the view many americans have of the mentally ill who now fill our jails and prisons. now that he is back in rehab, who knows fame/hero conflation works best for the paris hiltons or lindsey lohans of the world.
attributes of PK are remarkable-----in their way similar to the soldier who recently got the 1st medal of honor given to a living soldier in these wars or the intern who moved to save congress woman giffords when shot. also, like the latter 2, PK denied heroism and ascribed honor to the group she was part of "i accept it for them...'.
heros aren't great for the media and i suspect we will learn far more about the killer loughner while those who exceed expetions in their deeds are long off the front page. good that your take the small amout of openly acknowledged respect from the news in pulling out the qualities you most admire and and want to develop ing forming yourself
Joel,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on having started a blog! I've followed it with interest.
I realized that a new book I'm reading is an examination of our President's life (intellectual development) albeit by another person.
I know your days are very long, but try to get a copy if you can.
It is not a large book (yea!), but is very truly timely & very interesting
if you stay with it for a while. It is "Reading Obama" by James T. Kloppening, Princeton Univ. Press, 2011.
I am loving it because 1) The handling of historical material is great, &
2) Learning how Obama came to think, speak & act the way he does
is very helpful personally to me. The trajectory of his thinking becomes
very clear, & you come to know the consistency that it contains. Then,
whenever he makes a misstep (from my point of view), I understand it
to be a deviation from very solid intellectual underpinnings which remain
intact, despite a moment of his having lost his intellectual footing, or a failure to live up to his "better angels", for whatever reason.
This helps me feel more confident about the President's ability to lead, & consequently less concerned about the state of our country. You may well have gathered by now that I like this book! If I had my own copy I would simply send it off to you, but it's from the library & not easy to find otherwise.
Hopefully DC was deluged with it the day after printing, & you'll have no trouble.................
. . . an afterthought: If I had it to do over again, I think I would keep
some kind of log of the people, authors & experiences that proved semi-
nal in my own development, just for the pleasure & interest later on -
sort of like keeping old photos.
Here's to good blogging & being young & unfettered in one of the
most interesting places in the world! Love, Rosemary