Orrin Klapp Definition Of A Hero Essay

Throughout time, “heroes” have come and gone each leaving their mark on the world around them. A sociologist, Orrin Klapp, has noticed trends and patterns in how we as a society define our heroes and how we follow them. In the example of entertainers, he said it was their “box office (ability)” (Klapp 54) that brings in their fans and that can in turn lift them to the status of heroism. I feel it is not just the natural ability of the entertainer that elevates them to the status of hero but also their ability to relate to their fans and have a positive impact on their day to day life. I agree with Klapp in his argument that the fans elevate the individual to the hero status after they have acted early in their career. What keeps them in that …show more content…
At the end of “Swimming Pools” he recounts the incident of his friends being shot while he was in the car with him. He also touches on his views of mortality later on in the album and basically enforces to his audience that life is short and we should make the best of it because everyone is not as well off as we might be. This style of writing was rarely seen before and had a huge impact, not only on his fans, but other artists as well. Klapp refers to this as “imitation” of a hero (Klapp 57). Lamar continues to innovate on his more recent album To Pimp a Butterfly, where he reflects on his self-hatred, the environment he grew up in, and how he deals with his new found fame. This album is where I see most of his actions being particularly inspiring to his fan base. In his song “u” he reflects on how he has failed his friends and family because of his fame, varying from not being there when a friend was passing away in a hospital, or his sister getting pregnant while still a young teenager. By doing this he is showing to his fan base that it is okay to be imperfect because even someone who is seen as a hero can make mistakes just like anyone else can do. Another important track that impacts his fan base and modern day society is “The Blacker the Berry” where he talks about how he is proud to be African American and he loves his …show more content…
He even touches on this mindset on “Mortal Man” where he discusses the idea of him being compared to Nelson Mandela and that he feels that he is also carrying on Tupac Shakur’s message of mutual love and reform in the streets of Compton. These comparisons do not go without some weight though, just like other musical artists he has an impact on the lives of people such as keeping them from committing suicide and giving them hope through rough times in their lives. Klapp touches on this when he says, “…a point may be reached at which the public acquires a sentimentality toward him” (Klapp 54). Lamar experiences this when he encounters a girl, who opens up about Kendrick’s inspiration, which saved her life (Fleischer). These acts of kindness, humility, and genuine care for other human beings has kept him regarded as one of the best rappers, or even music artists in modern day. Since his actions have continued to keep him relatable to his fan base, or following, I believe this is why the fans give the status of a hero. Fans also In this time where people come and go leaving their mark for a short amount of time it is truly amazing to see someone stay and continue to impact the world and make it a better place for everyone. He gives hope to the people stuck in gang ridden areas, to the people that do not feel like they are worth anything in society. By doing