Who is your hero!?

6 Answers

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  genkidesu

  on Jan 17

  Oooh, this is a tough one! I'm a bit on the side of "never meet your heroes" because I think every human has their flaws and negative characteristics...and it can be a bit of a letdown to idolize someone and then not have them meet those kind of lofty expectations. I think my heroes overall are people who stand up to injustices in the world. These days it feels like there's a lot of injustice, so I admire people who have the courage and fortitude to stand up for people.

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  TonetoEdo

  on Jan 17

  Japanese heroes? I'd say Sugiura Chiune, the diplomat who provided transit visas for Jewish refugees fleeing Europe. He went against the foreign ministry's orders to save people from being left behind. Tsuda Umeko and Oyama Sutematsu fascinate me. They were two of the girls sent to the US with the Iwakura Mission. When they returned, they promoted education for women in Japan.

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  genkidesu

  on Jan 17

  @TonetoEdo I'd never heard of Sugiura Chiune before, but sounds like a person who would definitely have my vote as a hero.

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  TonetoEdo

  on Jan 17

  @genkidesu Please read up on him! He disregarded the strict foreign ministry vetting rules to evacuate people who were in danger. Another impressive thing - he wrote the transit visas by hand, permitting thousands of fleeing Jewish people to pass through Japanese-held territory.

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  TonetoEdo

  on Jan 17

  I adore Japanese poets for their pithy examinations of life and nature. A favorite is Aida Mitsuo, who wrote simple poems often riffing on Buddhist themes. The poems are simple enough for Japanese learners. I think he's a hero for bringing deep thought to a wide audience, children, Japanese language learners, and anybody who craves some insight into the human condition.

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  genkidesu

  on Jan 17

  @TonetoEdo I will! I'm already moved by what you've shared about him. Plenty of good lessons to learn from his brave actions!

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