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: WN
Asshole(s): Ukrainian Forces and Pro-Russia Separatists
Since last year, Russia’s goal to gain control over its once-held territory has caused the now independent country to fight back. Ukrainian forces have begun to fight the pro-Russia separatists within the country to protect their homeland, but they do so at a terrible cost. This year alone (or within the last month, however you want to look at it), the fighting has produced hundreds of civilian casualties because of the battles waged among them.
Artillery shells explode daily, and the detonations lead to terrible consequences for the Ukrainian people individually, rather than producing results on either side. In the last month alone, the fighting has caused the deaths of over 200 civilians, while each side’s troops remain bolstered and ready to fight another day.
It is some of the most savage fighting Europe has seen in decades.
Some of the people of the country have begun to talk to reporters about the ordeal. The common theme among their confessions is that their politicians and country leaders have failed them. One man gave his name as Pavel and told CNN, “Me, personally, I’ll take any ruler, just don’t kill me. All I want is bread and salt, just don’t kill me.”
That seems like a reasonable request to me, a girl who is thousands of miles away living comfortably in a non-police state. So if I can see the logic behind his request, why can’t the people in charge of his country? Take a page from history, fighters. Violence begets more violence, and if you’re not careful, you won’t have any people left to fight for.
Via: BuzzFeed
Hero: 11-year-old Rowan
This week, an 11-year-old comic book enthusiast was ecstatic when she received a Justice League Chibis set for her birthday. The excitement she felt was soon diminished when she realized that there were only two female superheroes featured in the set as opposed to 10 male ones.
This upset her, and rightfully so. As a girl who loves to read comic books, how frustrating it must be to consistently read stories that do not have heroines to whom she can relate. But little Rowan didn’t take this slight lying down. Instead, she wrote a letter to DC Comics, insisting that more female characters are incorporated.
Her incredibly poignant and perceptive letter points out that even the female characters that exist are present surrounded by “girl colors,” while the male characters are given more powerful colors like red and black. She compares DC to Marvel and points out that the latter was able to make a film with a tree and a raccoon as its main characters, but DC cannot be bothered to create one with any sort of diversity at all.
DC Comics responded to her letter via Twitter saying that “Yes Rowan, girls read comics too!
Wonder Woman movie & Supergirl TV both in the works, with more exciting girl power announcements soon!
The obvious ploy for a promotions opportunity notwithstanding, it’s nice to see that even little girls can get the attention of giant corporations. Thank you, Rowan for being quick to call out obvious sexism in the male-dominated world. You go girl!
Feature photo courtesy of: Gallery Hip
