More and more we are into communications; and less and less into communication.
Studs TerkelRead
Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say: This is my community, and it is my responsibility to make it better. Interweave all these communities and you really have an America that is back on its feet again. I really think we are gonna have to reassess what constitutes a 'hero'.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True heroes are everyday people who take responsibility for their communities.
In this thought-provoking quote, Studs Terkel emphasizes that heroes are not just extraordinary figures but rather ordinary individuals who actively contribute to the well-being of their communities. By acknowledging our shared responsibility to uplift others and enhance our society, we redefine heroism in a way that encourages collective action and mutual support, ultimately leading to a stronger and more united America.
Themes
CommunityResponsibilityHeroismServiceAmerica
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech highlighting local volunteer efforts, this quote serves to inspire community involvement.
More from Studs Terkel
All quotes →When it comes to the news, the corporate view is `objective,' all else is propaganda.
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Think of what's stored in an 80- or a 90-year-old mind. Just marvel at it. You've got to get out this information, this knowledge, because you've got something to pass on. There'll be nobody like you ever again. Make the most of every molecule you've got as long as you've got a second to go.
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We are the most powerful nation in the world, but we're not the only nation in the world. We are not the only people in the world. We are an important people, the wealthiest, the most powerful and, to a great extent, generous. But we are part of the world.
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I read somewhere that when a person takes part in community action, his health improves. Something happens to him or to her biologically. It's like a tonic.
Studs TerkelRead
I've always felt, in all my books, that there's a deep decency in the American people and a native intelligence - providing they have the facts, providing they have the information.
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