--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I feel uncomfortable about the word hero…" description: "\"I feel uncomfortable about the word hero because it seems to me that it is so rhetorically proximate to justifications for more war. Um, and, I don't w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/019/chris-hayes-2208_circumstances_i-feel-uncomfortable-about-the-word-hero_2856280.jpg" --- # I feel uncomfortable about the word hero because it seems… ![“I feel uncomfortable about the word hero because it seems to me that it is so rhetorically proximate to justifications for more war. Um, and, I don't want to obviously desecrate or disrespect memory of anyone that's fallen, and obviously there are individual circumstances in which there is…” quote by Chris Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/019/chris-hayes-2208_circumstances_i-feel-uncomfortable-about-the-word-hero_2856280.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/019/chris-hayes-2208_circumstances_i-feel-uncomfortable-about-the-word-hero_2856280.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/019/chris-hayes-2208_circumstances_i-feel-uncomfortable-about-the-word-hero_2856280.jpg) > “I feel uncomfortable about the word hero because it seems to me that it is so rhetorically proximate to justifications for more war. Um, and, I don't want to obviously desecrate or disrespect memory of anyone that's fallen, and obviously there are individual circumstances in which there is genuine, tremendous heroism, you know, hail of gunfire, rescuing fellow soldiers and things like that. But it seems to me that we marshal this word in a way that is problematic. But maybe I'm wrong about that.” [Chris Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hayes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The term “hero” is often used to justify war; while true heroism exists, its rhetorical use can be problematic. **In simple terms:** Hero can be misused for war. Key Takeaway Use “hero” carefully, honor genuine bravery. Themes war heroism language Mood critical analytical Type journalistic philosophical When to use this quote - military - public discourse - memorials Key Concepts political science ethics Questions to Reflect On - When is calling someone a hero appropriate? - How does language shape our view of conflict? A Different Perspective Heroic narratives can also unite societies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances/) [Disrespect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disrespect/) [Fallen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fallen/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Fellow soldiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fellow-soldiers/) [Fellows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fellows/) [Genuine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genuine/) [Hail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hail/) [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) [Hero Rhetorically](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero-rhetorically-3829038/) [Heroism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroism/) [Heroism Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroism-know-367408/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Justification](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justification/) [Justifications War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justifications-war-3829039/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) [Soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldier/) [Uncomfortable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncomfortable/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [It's very difficult to talk about the war dead and the fallen without invoking valor, without invoking the words 'heroes.' 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