Hegemony and Being a Hero
In our society, it has quickly become apparent that we do not have absolute control over our lives. We like to think that we are in control and in most of the time we are, however, every day we are plagued with the influence of the media. This influence might seem obvious, such as how can I be influenced by something if I’m aware of its intention?
Even if we like to think that we aren’t easily influenced by media that thought is wrong, we are all influenced by media. Today in 2020, it has never been easier to distribute and communicate information to an incredibly wide and diverse audience. In a study done the University of Massachusetts, it states how the perception of the public has shifted. Corporations are seeking to subtly influence their audience by viewing the public as markets, and citizens as consumers (Lull, 2003). Mass media has become a tool for dominant socials groups to popularize their own philosophy. This theory was attributed by Antonio Gramsci and introduces the term Hegemony which can be defined as the power or dominance that one social group hold over the other. This abuse of social structure is interesting when one considers the fact that media industries can produce and reproduce content and tones of ideas favorable to them (Lull, 2003).
Because of this, it seems difficult to assume good intentions with those who are in a higher relative position. However, while some corporations seek dominance to influence, there are others who seek dominance to protect. At times it can be difficult to picture the good and because of this the public is fascinated by the idea of a hero, a triumphant spectacle of justice and righteousness. The term hero gets tossed around from all sorts of mediums with different implications but what does it really mean to be a hero?
Obviously it isn’t easy to be a hero because if it was everyone would be a hero. What it means to be a hero is that the person has good intentions to help others, without seeking a reward or attention from it. In the real world, nothing seems more heroic than Firemen and women as it requires one to be selfless and incredibly brave.
To be a fireman it takes extreme training of harsh conditions, no one is ever forced to take up a job as a fireman; it’s the people who desire to help others that fill this role. Firemen are always the first to respond to a scene, and they do far more work than just put out fires. They administer first aid and assist in diagnosing the situation. When it comes to fires however, these people willingly throw themselves into danger with the intentions to help those who need it. They literally embody the qualities it takes to be a hero; selflessness, compassion for others and bravery. People don’t go into this career for money, if anything this definition of a hero is technically a civil servant.
In retrospect of hegemony, we as a collective public are technically the dominant group over firefighters. They help the people, it’s their job to protect and help the public. Yet you don’t see firefighters boasting around their prowess, nothing is more un-heroic than bragging about being a hero.
References: James, L. (2003). Gender, Race, And Class in Media
Multiculturalism and the Media 