There has been a lot of talk of late about ‘heroes’. It has been a like a whirlwind occurring around me, and changes in weather always make you reconsider if what you are wearing is sufficient and suitable for what will follow.
For the longest time, I have held three truths to be true.
Firstly, there are many around me whose work with migrant and refugees I admire tremendously – they inspire and encourage me. They have taken cases to court for labour disputes, defended refugees for immigration offenses, given of their time and money to help the marginalised, remained steadfast through difficulties, made personal sacrifices, and done their best through challenging circumstances. Most of their work is done without public display; it is done because their hearts are moved by those who suffer. They see needs and they respond. They try their best to overcome their fears; they learn as quickly as they can as they move through uncharted territory. Their work, I believe, triumphs any day over mine.
Secondly, when we see suffering, it is incumbent upon us to do what we can. The truth is that most of us who work with migrants and refugees can walk away at any time, but the migrants and refugees themselves can’t walk away from their own lives. We can put them aside from our minds, create distance, and get back to our own concerns. But if the reasons for their vulnerability do not change; if the underlying causes of their suffering remain unaddressed, then others will go through what they have suffered unnecessarily. We know that we have limited resources, limited knowledge, and limited influence. This is not an excuse; it is a challenge we need to overcome. It will take time, patience, courage, and tenacity. We have two choices – to walk away, or to do whatever we can. We each choose our own way, one step at a time.
Thirdly, for change to happen, all of us need to do an ordinary little bit. The word “hero” is grandiose, and relegates achievements to a ‘chosen’ few with ’special powers’ – Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Achilles, Hector, Spiderman. What this world really needs is more ordinary people doing ordinary things, at the right time and with the right heart – saying a word of encouragement, giving a hug, volunteering time and resources, bringing integrity to work, loving friends and family more excellently… these are what makes a real difference. And the true heroes are those who do these consistently, with sacrifice and without recognition.
All of us are heroes; and all of us are surrounded by heroes.
This is the beauty of life, and it is in the ordinary.
Etymologically the word hero likely derives from various roots signifying a protector, guardian or defender. While there may be “super” heroes out there, the rest of us can simply be ordinary heroes, or even heroes protecting the ordinary. Meanwhile all this talk of heroes has made me hungry, as where I’m from, a hero is a tasty sandwich for lunch.
[...] Originally published on 22 June, 2009 by Alice Nah. Republished with permission. Alice is a researcher who examines the interconnections between citizenship and migration. She is one of the coordinators of the Migration Working Group, a network of civil society groups and individuals advocating for the protection of the rights of migrants, refugees and stateless persons. [...]