Although we love to view the world in absolutes, things are seldom black and white. Heroes have skeletons in their closets and assholes secretly donate money to the ASPCA commercials with Sarah McLachlan. Okay, maybe not.
But the point is that the world is a complex place, full of moral ambiguity, double standards and mixed feelings.
So we have taken it upon ourselves to bring back the epic binary of good versus bad, right versus wrong, and virtuous versus evil.
We humbly present you Asshole and Hero of the week.
Via: NBC News
Asshole: The Pakistani Taliban
The Pakistani Taliban opened fire at a school in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Tuesday morning, killing at least 140 people, many of whom were children.
The eight-hour siege is thought to have been a plot to try to overthrow the Pakistani government, a goal that this particular sect of the Taliban is known to want above all else.
While I know that the Taliban is a horrific terrorist group, what kind of a person deems it okay to attack a school full of children just trying to learn? If their goal was to overthrow the Pakistani government, they definitely failed to do so.
However, I would imagine that they did succeed in inciting terror in those children’s minds. Every time they close their eyes, they will have to re-live the experience of watching their classmates and teachers die all around them. They will have to live with the knowledge that this was done to them in the name of God. What message does that send to the children?
The Taliban has done some pretty fucked up things in the past. Hell, all terrorist groups, foreign and domestic, have done their fair share of things that would make Satan himself cringe. But attacking a school full of children makes you a total asshole.
Via: Elite Daily
Hero: 9 year-old girl known as “A”
An elementary school teacher came out as gay to his class this week in order to teach them about bullying and using harmful words. While he was supported by his class, one little girl took things to the next level by writing him a heartfelt note that brought tears to his eyes.
In the note, the girl said that she would “always treat you the same way as I do now.” This simple statement is extremely meaningful and goes a long way to showing the world that showing support is easy.
The maturity and empathy she showed within the note is surprising for someone so young, but I think that is what makes the action worthy of attention. If a 9 year-old can show support for someone who takes a step to come out of the closet, why can’t the rest of the world be as compassionate?
Dearest “A,” I hope that one day the world is ready to follow your example. Until that day comes, take this crown of hero of the week, wear it with pride and continue to be a light in someone else’s darkness and an inspiration to us all.
Feature photo courtesy of: The NY Times
