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What a hero should be
Tonight we are going to watch the very public collapse of someone many called a hero. This person will go on a talk show and confess to cheating. How much of a confession at this point we can only speculate.
The media, this ex-hero’s handlers, and sponsors helped to build the image to a mythic status. As a few people suspected he was nothing but a false idol all along.
Last night I saw the video of two brothers, Conner and Cayden Long. Conner is 9 years old and races triathlons with his younger brother Cayden who has cerebral palsy. Watch the video and perhaps it will reshape your definition of what a hero should be.
I hope this video reshapes who we think are true heroes. http://t.co/dDiPX1PT
This is awesome. “@neilroad: I hope this video reshapes who we think are true heroes. http://t.co/4cWeAaDN”
What a hero should be http://t.co/5SJaFuRq
After she watched Oprah Thursday night, a colleague at school asked me, “Now who do kids have to look up to? Who are their heroes now?” I plan to show her and my students this video. To me, Conner and Cayden truly are heroes. Thanks for sharing this.
@leighdiffey Did you see Sports Illustrated Sports Kid(s) of the Year for 2012? http://t.co/JodcOWfe
I wondered how would Shakespeare might write about Lance Armstrong’s fall from grace? I decided to try my pen, and wrote the following: The Race (for Lance Armstrong) by B. Rosson Davis
1
He increased our wonder, never failing
to win the race. Let fame for which he hungers
ride his life, now in disgrace. Glory grows guilty
with his detested crimes. For he would have us
in his lies conceit, believe in his perfection,
his unique performance. Why we immortalized him
for his triumphant feats of fearless racing victories.
We knew his fiery qualities well— unmovable
and fixed in his own course’s deep deceit,
dishonesty, distrust, his downfall now as deep
as his rise to adoration. All viewers unaware
of this manipulation. He hoodwinked the lot of us!
Now exposed, now too much a false good-thing,
his favor shrinks in basest news, the truth will out—
He stands upon his shame, soaked in sweat,
the man who rode mountains, the winner
who took all. This twisted hero propped up
with drugs, corruptly so, without a trace of
truth or honor, now stands before us. His breach
apparent topples fame, tarnishes the gold,
the glory. O, his medals, millions, sponsors, titles,
trophies have all been won, but, now, in shame
stripped bare the bearer of his fame. He reaped
these victories in his race for life, to win and
win, and, win at any price—a grand obsession to
conquer all, like the cancer that consumed him.
2
Now a deepest loathing creeps into our stomachs;
we were unaware this victor who spoils sport so
silently, knowingly, in a cavalcade of lies. O,
the invincible Lance, full of hope (and dope)
grew arrogant, raced into records, a super hero. (A lie.)
Has Sport grown so bad? There are no boundaries
for deceit. His disposition all the world knows now…
This arrogant American who cheated to win, stands not
for honor, dignity, clean victory, or true performance.
There’s hubris in his winning! O, willful lies, denials of
illegal use of drugs, his distain of the prescient Press,
the media, that pointed out these craven possibilities.
What dignity in winning by false means?
There is no honesty in such performance—
enhanced by doping, the ego’s fearless race
for fame and glory binds the man to his deeds.
continues
The Race for Lance Armstrong by Barbara Rosson Davis pg. 2 of 2
3
O, Lance, thy hell is in the healing—
Where honor lost so boldly cannot be regained.
Despite your will, despite your past performance.
You shall not be excused. There is no excuse
shall save yours and others’ unlawful conduct–
a hype so bold it brings dishonor to the cycling
sport, to any sport; and, to your name, the shame.
There are rules in every race, every life, in every game.
The Lance is cast—
Cruel are the times when we are traitors,
stripped, and do not know ourselves.
Golden lads and liars must, as chimney sweeps,
come down to dust.