There has been a lot of talk about Jessica Watson around the traps (a phrase which here means that I am too lazy to direct you to all the articles discussing her, but I’m sure you’ve seen some.). She has been described as an attention-seeker, as a risk-taker, as too young, as a record-breaker, as a hero. It is this last word – hero – that seems to stir people up the most.
T he dictionary.com definition of hero: a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
OK – so apart from the “man” part that applies, I guess.
We live in a country that encourages “hero faxes” to its Olympic athletes, so it is hardly surprising that the word ‘hero’ is being used about a 16 year old who performed such an amazing feat of endurance and strength of character. In this context it seems entirely apt.
No she didn’t save lives, and there are many teens and adults quietly doing amazing things every day that are just as worthy of media attention. But I think that nitpicking what she did detracts from the fact that she is inspirational to any young person who has a dream and dares to follow it.
In full disclosure, I was a nay-sayer as Jessica left. I thought it was foolish for a young girl to be risking her life to chase a record. I thought her parents were mad to let her go. But as she has faced the challenges along her journey, I have been turned around to cheering her on. I don’t care if she broke a world record or not, or if she gets money from appearances afterwards. At 16, I didn’t know my arse from my elbow. I was working a crappy McJob, goofing off in class, swooning over boys who barely acknowledged my existence and wasting a fair bit of my potential. If I knew then what I know now, I would have been running at life with both arms outstretched. Good on Jessica for having the guts to do that.
Updated to add: here is a list I found of heroic characters. http://changingminds.org/disciplines/storytelling/characters/heroic_characters.htm I think we can all agree that Jessica fits the “bold adventurer” category.
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I’m a little dubious about the use of the word ‘hero’ to describe Jessica Watson, but definitely agree that she is inspirational.
Anyone that as the courage to dream big and then work hard to bring those dreams into reality – that person has my respect.
Is the word “hero” only to be reserved for firefighters and ambulance drivers and soldiers? Nobody baulks at it when used about them. And by comparison with what they do every day, perhaps the label doesn’t fit. She chose to take a risk, not to save another, but to challenge herself.
I suppose I am comparing her to the heroes that I have known all my life – literary heroes, from the classics. There are all kinds of heroes: http://changingminds.org/disciplines/storytelling/characters/heroic_characters.htm
So Jessica is the “bold adventurer” –
The Bold Adventurer is close to the classic hero although with the primary goal of excitement and stimulation more than achieving some end (which they may also need to achieve — it is just that their personal satisfaction comes from the thrills of getting there).
The Adventurer thus steps into the unknown with a smile on their face and, whilst we might not follow them as we would the leader, we are drawn along with the story which promises non-stop excitement.”
Bold Adventure is an apt discription for Jessica. If we had more 16yr old out there ready to challange themselves in life and what it has to offer we may have less violence, graffiti or at the very least less obese children with no intrest in anything other that themselves!
Great post.
Whilst I agree what Jessica did is remarkable – no doubt – I believed when she left that she shouldn’t have gone, and that her parents were irresponsible to let her go. I still believe that.
Whether it has been by the grace of God, or just luck (depending how you want to look at it) she is, thankfully, home safe. But it could well have been a much, much different story.
I agree with the “Bold Adventurer” description. “Hero” is just like “genius” – overused, and used inappropriately.
What Jessica did was amazing, but I still believe she shouldn’t have been allowed by her parents to do it when she did.
Or, maybe I’m just an old-fashioned kinda gal!
Thanks for the great read, Meredith!
Thanks for commenting Jodie. I think you could add “ability and strength of will” to the reasons why Jessica is home safe.
I honestly felt the same way as you. I was baffled that her parents would let her go. But my own argument for letting my kids ride bikes around the neighbourhood, has been “I know my kids” and I guess Jessica’s parents felt the same. I’m sure good fortune played a part as you say. Maybe the Fates shone on her for a reason.
I hope I have the courage to let my daughters do amazing things when and if they ever want to, no matter what age they are. What she did is amazing and inspirational and good on her. But also good on her mum and dad for having faith in her ability and belief in her dreams. I hope she inspires my girls (and people everywhere for that matter) to reach for the stars and grab them with both hands.
Inspirational to our girls is right, Leah.
No comparison to what Jessica did, but my dad put me on a plane by myself at the age of just 18, and sent me off into the world for a year, (including a 7 hour layover in Indonesia by myself). I am grateful every day that he trusted me and he trusted the world enough to give me the opportunity. I came home a very different person.
[...] more on what I think about the “hero” tag, here is what I wrote on Jessica Watson last [...]