Our definition of what constitutes a hero has been continuously redefined the course of American history. Many have tried to define it as being a reflection of American culture and ideas. In his essay, "What Makes Superman So Darned American," Gary Engle suggests that superman is the ultimate American hero because his super powers are "the comic book equivalents of ethnic characteristics," which are vital to sustaining American culture. (page 678) Although Engle is correct about the importance of identifying heroes with their ethnic characteristics, the acceptance of all ethnic characteristics of today's heroes (which is the goal of political correctness) has become skewed. A hero today does not need to wear a fancy costume like Superman, but the portrayal must now be politically correct, even if that means changing the perceived ethnicity of that hero.

So what is the definition of a hero? Is it the person who has been fortune enough to have climbed the social and financial ladders of success? Is it our top athletes who have "sacrificed" so much of their childhood and teenage years in order to gain their five minutes of glory at the Olympic games? Or is the

Unlike Superman and other heroes of the past, the all-American hero today does not need to dress up in a fancy costume, nor does he need to have unusual super powers. Today's hero wears a general issue uniform and sports a badge distinguishing him a firefighter or even an Army Ranger. He may have a wife and two point five children in his over-priced high-rise apartment in uptown Manhattan, or he may even own a ranch in Texas. However the political beurocracy of the past ten years has diluted the role of hero for those of us who are of Anglo descent. American history is even being re-wrtten at the expense of many historical heroes and figures. Of course America has heroes of all races and creeds, but the political correctness of it seems to be taking credit away from those men and women who love their country and its people enough to raise "Old Glory" up in the face of adversity.

Engle, Gary. "What Makes Superman So Darned American?" Signs of Life. 3rd ed. Ed.

Ray, Robert. "The Thematic Paradigm." Signs of Life. 3rd ed. Ed. Sonia Maasik and

fighters. We should not see each other as white, black, or Hispanic; rather

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Approximate Word count = 1575
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)