To be a Hero

The dictionary says a hero is someone, usually a man, who is idolized for their brave deeds and honorable qualities. But what do you think a hero is? Someone who saves people at the cost of their own lives? A protector of the powerless, supporter of the small, fighter for the feeble?

In the movie "Rabbit-Proof Fence", the protagonist, Molly, decides to undertake a 1,500 mile long journey with her two younger sisters. On the good old-fashioned soles of the feet they were born with.

Why? Half-castes in the days of the British colonies, they are the children of the Aboriginals of Australia and English fathers. After being forcibly kidnapped and taken to a camp to train as a servant, the sickened Molly plots to run away, dubbing the camp 'bad place'.

In this, Molly is a hero. She knows this is wrong, that the British have no right to attempt to brainwash her, to make a servant of their 'proper' lives. And she is willing to go against it. She's brave enough to make a stand.

It's not like she's gullible either, thinking no one will stop her and bring her back. She knows the camp has a tracker, an Aboriginal tracker. But she runs, and she runs with the knowledge that the coming rain will soon cover her tracks. That she is brave enough, strong enough, determined enough, to risk the fear of being dragged back to the camp, is a sign of heroism. She will do what it takes to get her sisters and herself home.

She's also smart enough to lessen the chances of getting caught, too. She isn't running headlong, pelting away home just hoping she's fast enough to keep ahead of the tracker. She's laying false trails, keeping the real tracks as hard to follow as possible, and staying alert to the danger. To me, a hero is someone honorable and brave, yes, but smart. Dumb brute strength never saved anybody. You've got to be clever enough to save people against unbalanced odds, and chances are, the odds are against you.

Watch it, brave, honorable, heroic men. Young girls can be saviours too.