The World is Still Filled with "Monsters"

A cynical person might say that life is full of monsters. Whether or not that is true is the opinion of that person. However, it is inarguable that there are monsters in the world today and those monsters can be just as vicious and terrifying as the legendary creatures spoken of in mythology.

The mythological "monster" is always something ugly, terrifying, unnatural and abnormal. Monsters can be personified, however. Rapists, child molesters, murderers, racists, thieves, terrorists, and many other things can be considered "monsters." However, these particular monsters are even more terrifying to some people, because unlike their fictional counterparts, these monsters have not yet been defeated. In fact, as time goes on, it seems that many of these monsters only become stronger. This is where fiction ends and reality sets in. Of course, this is clearly a cynical view of things, but its validity may remain just as tragically correct.

In the myths about towering evil beasts and deadly winged creatures, the monsters may have killed their victims, but if you ask any victim of a rape or molestation, they will tell you that it can leave you far worse off, some people can go their entire lives without recovering from the wounds they receive. A murderer can be far more cruel than a beast. The victim's family and friends cannot look into the eyes of a beast and see an empty hole where a soul should be, but they cannot see one. Any victim of a hate crime or racial slandering knows the pain that can only be caused by another human being.

So, if these are our modern monsters, than who are our modern heroes? The American Government has tried to combat terrorism, but the heroes in that situation are not the rich, white men on capitol hill. It's the men and women overseas fighting one-on-one. In the case of a hate crime, it's the person who tries to stop it. In a rape or molestation, it's the person who pushes the rapist away, or the counselor who tries to help, or even the friend who's willing to listen when there is nobody else. If someone is attempting a murder, then the hero is the person willing to put himself/herself in danger to save a life. The hero is nobody special, except to the person they help. It's no Hercules, no Superman. The world's only true heroes are those willing to help, even if it's dangerous to them. Sometimes, though, there are no heroes. Sometimes, the monster attacks and no one is around to help. Sometimes, the monster drags you away and the passers-by just stare.

But, that's just not true. Maybe, it seems that way to the weathered eye, whose vision has seen terrible unnatural monsters. There's always a hero, though. It may be hard to see a hero, when a monster is facing you, but there's always someone there. One just has to be willing to let a hero help, and there will always be a hero willing to help.