{"id":29094,"date":"2023-07-03T12:03:46","date_gmt":"2023-07-03T19:03:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/amicuscuria.com\/wordpress\/?p=29094"},"modified":"2023-07-03T12:40:01","modified_gmt":"2023-07-03T19:40:01","slug":"flawed-heroes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amicuscuria.com\/wordpress\/flawed-heroes\/","title":{"rendered":"Flawed Heroes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FLAWED HEROES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dMLK Jr. is Not Who You Think He is\u201d: We Didn\u2019t Know These Historical Figures Were Incredibly Problematic Until Now<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

by Brandy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helen Keller<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It looks like even Helen Keller, the famous advocate for the disabled and the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, had some pretty problematic views. I mean, arguing that deformed babies should be left to die because they might become criminals? <\/strong>That\u2019s not just offensive; it\u2019s downright dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s almost like she was trying to set back the cause of disability rights by a century.<\/strong> But you know what they say, even heroes have feet of clay. Or, in her case, feet of braille. It\u2019s hard to overlook the bad and focus on the positives. Advocating for eugenics is not the way to win any popularity contests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

F. Scott Fitzgerald<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Well, isn\u2019t that just peachy? It turns out that F Scott Fitzgerald, the author of \u201cThe Great Gatsby\u201d and one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, was also a bit of a jerk.<\/strong> Plagiarizing your wife\u2019s work and then locking her in the house when she asks for a divorce? That\u2019s just low. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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He was trying to write his own tragic novel, complete with a dysfunctional marriage and a bitter end. Or maybe he was just a victim of his own success and couldn\u2019t handle the pressure of being a literary superstar.<\/strong> Either way, we can all agree that locking your wife in the house is never a good idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

George Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oh boy, it looks like we\u2019ve got another problematic historical figure on our hands. George Washington, the \u201cFather of Our Country\u201d and the first president of the United States,\u00a0was actually a slave owner who refused to free his many slaves.\u00a0<\/strong>It\u2019s just not the kind of news you want to hear.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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But it\u2019s a good reminder that nobody\u2019s perfect, not even the guy on the dollar bill. Let\u2019s focus less on idolizing these historical figures and more on understanding their flaws.<\/strong> Or we could just start putting pictures of puppies on our currency. After all, who doesn\u2019t love a cute little puppy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frank Sinatra<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no doubt Frank Sinatra is one of the greatest figures in the history of American music, but this story surrounding Frank Sinatra\u2019s connections to organized crime adds another layer of complexity to his larger-than-life persona. <\/strong>Sinatra\u2019s affinity for the company of those connected to organized crime reveals shared interests and a blurred line between entertainment and the hidden world of illicit activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The convergence of their shared hobbies, such as gambling, women, and money, in casinos and nightclubs is something many fans may not have known. This untold side of Sinatra\u2019s life sheds light on the complexities of fame and the choices individuals make within the shadowed realms of power and influence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Florence Nightingale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Florence Nightingale is often held up as a hero in the nursing profession, but the truth is that her legacy is much more complicated than we might think.<\/strong> While it\u2019s true that she made significant contributions to infection prevention and modern nursing, the fact that she held racist views and had some involvement in colonial atrocities is deeply troubling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s important to remember that just because someone makes significant contributions to their field, it doesn\u2019t excuse their problematic beliefs and actions.<\/strong> And while it\u2019s commendable that Nightingale emphasized handwashing and infection prevention, it doesn\u2019t negate the harm that she may have caused through her other actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alexander Graham Bell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, may have revolutionized communication, but his views on Deaf people are definitely not something to phone home about. <\/strong>It\u2019s troubling to think that someone who was so close with several Deaf individuals could hold such a prejudiced and harmful belief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And let\u2019s be real; we can still appreciate Bell\u2019s contributions to communication technology while acknowledging that he had some messed up beliefs. It\u2019s like admiring Picasso\u2019s art while also acknowledging he was a womanizer. We don\u2019t have to cancel Bell, but we do have to be critical of his beliefs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pablo Picasso<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sure, Pablo Picasso was a talented artist, but he was also a huge misogynist and abuser. I mean, who says \u201cwomen are machines for suffering\u201d and treats their lovers like garbage?<\/strong> Not cool. And don\u2019t even get me started on the cheating and inability to stay faithful to a woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s not like we must erase his contributions to art, but we can\u2019t just brush off his problematic behavior. It\u2019s like trying to separate the art from the artist \u2013 sometimes, it\u2019s just not possible. <\/strong>So next time you see a Picasso painting, take a moment to think about the women he hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abraham Lincoln<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We all know him as the Great Emancipator, but did you know Abraham Lincoln ordered the public execution of 38 Dakota Indians?<\/strong> Yeah, that\u2019s right. Hundreds of people watched them die as punishment for the Santee Sioux uprising. I mean, come on, Abe. What a hypocritical person he truly was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You can\u2019t preach about freedom and equality and then turn around and order a mass execution like it\u2019s nothing.<\/strong> You can\u2019t have it both ways, man. We need to acknowledge Lincoln\u2019s problematic actions and hold him accountable for them, even if it means reevaluating our idea of him as a \u201chero.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James Watson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Who let James Watson into the science club? This dude snubbed Rosalind Franklin, downplayed her role in his work, made terrible remarks about her character,<\/strong> and, let\u2019s not forget, racism, sexism, and antisemitism. Oh, and he tried to use genetics to back up his claims that African Americans are less intelligent than whites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yikes. It\u2019s like he took all the -isms and rolled them into one problematic burrito. I don\u2019t care how smart you are; if you\u2019re spewing hate and disrespecting your colleagues, you don\u2019t deserve a place in the scientific community.<\/strong> It\u2019s time to kick Watson to the curb and make room for scientists who don\u2019t let their bigotry overshadow their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oprah Winfrey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The story of Oprah Winfrey shoving a child out of the way at an airport is a stark reminder that our favorite celebrities may not always be who we think they are. <\/strong>While it\u2019s easy to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of fame, the fact is that these individuals are human beings with flaws and shortcomings like the rest of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If this story is true, it\u2019s disappointing to think that someone as beloved and influential as Oprah Winfrey could be so callous toward a child. Let\u2019s not forget that kindness and compassion are not just acts to be put on for the cameras.<\/strong> True empathy and understanding require a genuine desire to connect with others and make the world a better place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walt Disney<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walt Disney is often held up as a visionary and pioneer in the world of animation, but the fact that he had a racist side is truly scary. While it\u2019s important to acknowledge that Disney was a product of his time,<\/strong> it\u2019s also essential to recognize that his actions had real-world consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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By perpetuating harmful stereotypes and using racist language, Disney contributed to a culture of discrimination and inequality <\/strong>that continues to affect marginalized communities to this day. It may be time to start calling out Disney for its problematic past and demand they do better in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roald Dahl<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oh boy, Roald Dahl, more like Roald the RottenI. It\u2019s one thing to cheat on your spouse, but to do it with her best friend while she\u2019s recovering from a freaking stroke? That\u2019s just low. I mean, how do you even live with yourself after that? <\/strong>He took all the worst qualities a person can have and embodied them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s hard to reconcile the man who wrote beloved children\u2019s books with the man who was such a jerk to his wife. It\u2019s like finding out your favorite ice cream flavor is made with rotten milk \u2013 it\u2019s just not a good feeling. But that\u2019s the thing about people \u2013 they\u2019re complex and sometimes disappointing.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Queen Victoria<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The fact that Victoria found babies ugly and experienced postnatal depression does not excuse the neglect and emotional distance she showed toward her children. It\u2019s heartbreaking to think that her children may have grown up feeling unloved<\/strong> and unwanted, despite their status as heirs to the throne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We shouldn\u2019t be too surprised \u2013 ruling a kingdom is hard work. Pregnancy can definitely put a damper on that! But the way she treated her children is a different story. It\u2019s like she forgot that being a parent is more than just giving birth<\/strong> \u2013 it\u2019s about nurturing and caring for your kids. Let\u2019s hope future rulers remember that being a parent is just as important as being a monarch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Martin Luther King<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Okay, okay, so let me get this straight. Martin Luther King, the supposed champion of civil rights,\u00a0was a plagiarizer, a cheater, and a bystander to sexual assault.\u00a0<\/strong>Talk about problematic! I mean, is it possible that any of our heroes were real heroes and didn\u2019t have any major flaws?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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However, it\u2019s also important to recognize that King was a human being with flaws and imperfections like the rest of us.<\/strong> We can acknowledge his shortcomings while also recognizing the incredible impact he had on our society and the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Johnny Cash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re telling me that Johnny Cash, the man in black, not only started a massive fire but almost killed off a bunch of endangered birds? That\u2019s a whole new level of problematic. <\/strong>I knew his music could be fiery, but I didn\u2019t think he\u2019d take this statement so very literally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And to think he only paid $82,000 in damages. That\u2019s like giving someone a pack of gum to make up for burning down their house.<\/strong> But hey, at least he tried to make things right. Maybe he should\u2019ve written a song about it, like \u201cI Walked the Line and Started a Fire.\u201d Okay, maybe not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aristotle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Anyone who thinks that women are nothing more than baby-making machines is absolutely insane. That\u2019s like saying a pencil is only good for erasing mistakes. I mean, come on. As if women weren\u2019t already facing enough struggles,<\/strong> this dude had to go and make it worse \u2013 even if it was in ancient times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I guess it just shows that even the smartest people can have some seriously dumb ideas.<\/strong> And we still study his works today. We should stick to reading his thoughts on physics or matters that don\u2019t involve equality. Or, instead, we could focus on uplifting voices that respect all humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chuck Berry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oh, Chuck Berry, the rock \u2018n\u2019 roll pioneer, right? Well, let me tell you, he sure had a talent for pushing boundaries \u2013 and I\u2019m not talking about just his music.<\/strong> Turns out, ol\u2019 Chuck was playing his own twisted version of \u201cRoll Over Beethoven\u201d with some pretty darn questionable antics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I mean, who knew that \u201cJohnny B. Goode\u201d was actually \u201cJohnny B. Bad\u201d behind closed doors?<\/strong> So, next time you\u2019re jamming or dancing along to one of his tunes, just remember: there\u2019s more to some of these historical figures than meets the eye \u2013 or the bathroom camera, for that matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teddy Roosevelt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ah, Teddy Roosevelt, the rough-ridin\u2019, big stick-wieldin\u2019 president. Turns out he was also the OG \u201cTeddy White Nationalist Bear.\u201d<\/strong> I mean, I knew he loved nature, but who knew he was so keen on eugenics? And sure, he opposed slavery, which was pretty revolutionary to do so during that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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But let\u2019s not forget he was all about that \u201cEuro-descendant\u201d superiority. So, next time you think of Teddy as just a rugged outdoorsman, remember he had some not-so-cuddly views. It\u2019s a good thing his face is carved in stone because it\u2019d be pretty awkward <\/strong>if Mount Rushmore was able to blush!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frank Llyod<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Well, well, well, Frank Lloyd Wright \u2013 the architectural legend! But it seems like he was also a master of being a hot mess.<\/strong> Talk about a blueprint for disaster, am I right? I mean, we all know his designs were groundbreaking, but who knew he was a real-life soap opera? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s a wonder he didn\u2019t design a house just for his ego. So next time you marvel at a Frank Lloyd Wright creation, remember that behind those stunning lines and daring cantilevers, there\u2019s a man who probably needed a few extra support beams in his own moral foundation. <\/strong>He wasn\u2019t that nice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miles Davis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oh, Miles Davis, the jazz icon! He had us all \u201cKind of Blue\u201d with his melodies, but who knew he had a side that was more like \u201cKind of Cruel\u201d?<\/strong> If you weren\u2019t in his band of merry men, he\u2019d give you a taste of his volcanic temper. And let\u2019s not forget the ladies in his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Turns out, he wasn\u2019t exactly serenading them with sweet trumpet solos.<\/strong> If you ever find yourself enjoying a sultry Miles Davis tune, remember that behind that smooth sound, there was a man who could\u2019ve used a little more harmony in his personal life. Talk about hitting the wrong note, huh?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joe Dimaggio<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ah, Joe DiMaggio \u2013 the baseball legend and, surprise, husband from hell!<\/strong> This guy had a real home run of marriage with Marilyn Monroe, didn\u2019t he? More like a strikeout, if you ask me. He was all about that \u201ctill death do us part\u201d vibe, but not in the right way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It only applied if Marilyn agreed to trade the spotlight for an apron. Talk about being stuck in the wrong ballpark, Joe! <\/strong>Don\u2019t think of DiMaggio as a hero of America\u2019s favorite pastime; he was swinging for the fences in all the wrong ways. At least Marilyn was smart enough to call it \u201cgame over\u201d on that one!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patrick Henry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Well, Patrick Henry is the \u201cGive me liberty or give me death\u201d guy, right? Turns out he was also the \u201cGive my wife the basement or give her a mental hospital\u201d guy. <\/strong>Talk about taking DIY too far! Sure, those old-timey mental hospitals were grim, but chaining up your spouse in the basement? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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That\u2019s a whole new level of \u201chome improvement.\u201d It\u2019s not hard to be inspired by Mr. Henry\u2019s impassioned cries for freedom, but he might have had a little too much creative liberty when it came to his wife\u2019s living quarters.<\/strong> Being locked up in your own house is hardly freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

King Edward the VIII<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

King Edward VIII, the royal with a thing for abdicating thrones and, oh, let\u2019s not forget, a little Nazi sympathy on the side!<\/strong> Now, I\u2019m all for making friends, but buddy, you really picked the wrong crowd to do so. Plotting with the Germans to reclaim the throne after a British invasion?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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That\u2019s like saying, \u201cSure, come on in, but save a seat for me, will ya?\u201d So, the next time you think about the glamor of British royalty, remember that this king was playing a dangerous game of \u201cmusical chairs\u201d<\/strong> with some seriously bad company. Long live the king, eh? Not so much!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrew Jackson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Andrew Jackson is a fascinating and complicated figure in American history. While he may be remembered as the \u201ccommon man\u2019s president,\u201d his treatment of Native Americans is a stain on his legacy that cannot be ignored.<\/strong> Jackson\u2019s policy of Indian removal resulted in the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans, including the infamous Trail of Tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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His brutal and inhumane policy demonstrates the deep-seated racism and prejudice that was prevalent in Jackson\u2019s era.<\/strong> As we continue to grapple with issues of race and inequality in our society, it\u2019s important to remember that history is complex and nuanced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lyndon Johnson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lyndon Johnson is a presidential powerhouse and a master of personal space invasion! LBJ sure had an interesting way of measuring people\u2019s feelings toward him.<\/strong> I mean, who needs a handshake when you can just whip out the ol\u2019 cucumber and water the nearest Secret Service agent, right? Talk about making a splash in politics! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Whenever someone mentions Johnson\u2019s Great Society, the only thing I\u2019m going to remember now is his not-so-great social skills. <\/strong>I guess you could say he truly took \u201cstreaming\u201d to a whole new level\u2014way before Netflix made it cool! Either way \u2013 why did this guy let the President pee on him? Did he have no self-respect?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

FLAWED HEROES \u201dMLK Jr. is Not Who You Think He is\u201d: We Didn\u2019t Know These Historical Figures Were Incredibly Problematic Until Now by Brandy Helen Keller It looks like even Helen Keller, the famous advocate for the disabled and the first … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amicuscuria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29094","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amicuscuria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amicuscuria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amicuscuria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amicuscuria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29094"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/amicuscuria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29094\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29098,"href":"https:\/\/amicuscuria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29094\/revisions\/29098"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amicuscuria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29094"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amicuscuria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29094"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amicuscuria.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29094"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}