Sacrifice is always at the center of the most famous tales of heroism. The explanation is that sacrifice requires endurance, loyalty, or commitment to difficult situations to reach one’s aspirations (Weller et al.). Most selfless acts are performed not for personal advantage but rather for the benefit of others. An example of heroism steered through sacrifice includes the martyrs of civil rights such as Dr. Martin Luther King. He was a social activist who pioneered the American civil rights movement for the people of color to attain equal rights as citizens of the republic (Dorrien). His brave actions, such as demanding voting rights and holding boycott demonstrations, portrayed sacrifice leading to his popularization as an icon. Therefore, sacrifice contributes more to heroism, considering that it involves compassion, selfless practice, and fortitude, unlike success which focuses on attaining self-satisfying goals.
When faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, heroes still choose to sacrifice everything for the greater good. The reason is that heroism is an attribute that requires compassion, care, selflessness, and fortitude for the sake of others. The ability to persevere through adversity demonstrates a hero’s bravery (Weller et al.). Honesty, sincerity, selflessness, and compassion are all attributes necessary for acting for the good of others despite the risks involved.
Martin Luther King was a successful pastor who graduated with a divinity degree and pursued a doctorate at Boston University (Dorrien). Despite his academic success, he was not a hero considering that all the gains only benefited him and his family. Additionally, his academic achievement did not portray any selfless practice, compassion, or fortitude for the general public. Therefore, the successful completion of his academic pursuit did not contribute more to his becoming a hero.
Sacrifice contributes to heroism since it reveals an individual’s personality and character. These attributes cannot be revealed with success, considering that the element of compassion and fortitude is absent. After long-term service as a Dexter Avenue Baptist pastor, Martin Luther King decided on a new career journey of fighting for freedom (Dorrien). His approach focused on non-violent desegregation campaigns to focus on liberating the black community.
This practice was bold, considering that white supremacy was still dominant at that time (Dorrien). This approach revealed his character as a fearless leader who was compassionate about independence and focused on achieving freedom. Many conservatives warned him against the movement, but he was focused on achieving the objective. By 1956, he achieved the first liberation breakthrough whereby segregation of people in public transport systems was ruled unconstitutional (Dorrien). Through pain accrued by threats nationwide and fortitude, his sacrifice led to heroism which made a lasting impact.
Heroism is a title that comes through pain and challenging adversities and can cost an individual. According to (Van and Alfred, 301), the moral nature of sacrifice must cost the agent performing the act. The reason is that pursuing a lasting change is not easy and must come with consequences that sometimes are detrimental (Weller et al.).
For instance, after great success with the liberation of people of color through initiatives such as non-segregation in public places, voting rights for black people, and the civil rights act, Martin Luther King was assassinated by a sniper at a hotel in Lorraine Motel in Memphis. Ironically, it was here In Memphis, Tennessee, where he had held multiple demonstrations to reawaken the people on their rights to freedom (Dorrien). His efforts demonstrated high courage during adversity, making Marin Luther king a historical icon. He also paid the price of sacrifice by blood, which is an action that portrays selflessness and courage in sponsoring a specific objective.
The greatest heroes in human history are those who put others ahead of themselves and made sacrifices for the greater good of society. Compassion, selflessness, and perseverance make a hero in both classical and contemporary interpretations of the sacrifice. These attributes are the basic standards that define a hero, considering that they are all forms of selfless practices which are costly. Heroic figures like Martin Luther King brought lasting change through compassionate practices and fortitude, leading to the demise. Even after death, the influence of his initial fight has built a greater society of freedom.
This impact indicates that martin Luther King’s objectives were designed for the good of society as a whole rather than for the individual’s advantage. Therefore, making a sacrifice that improves systems that benefit the entire population rather than just a select few individuals is a more significant way to demonstrate heroism.
Works Cited
Dorrien, Gary J. Breaking white supremacy: Martin Luther King Jr. and the black social gospel. Yale University Press, 2018.
Weller, Sarah-Louise, Andrew D. Brown, and Caroline A. Clarke. “Questing for meaningfulness through narrative identity work: The helpers, the heroes and the hurt.” human relations 2021. Web.
Van Ackeren, Marcel, and Alfred Archer. “Self-sacrifice and moral philosophy.” International Journal of Philosophical Studies vol. 26, no. 3, 2018, pp. 301-307. Web.