Who's Heroes?

Some thoughts on the recognition of the nation's heroes and historical personalities amidst poor historical literature and western comic book and Hollywood appeal.

What kid doesn't know about Batman? Hollywood recently launched Chris Nolan's Batman sequel The Dark Knight, the highly anticipated superhero movie, after a successful reboot of the DC Comics franchise three years ago.

The fictional caped crusader of Gotham City got his hands back in action, rescuing Gotham from the grasp of villains and crime. Batman, co created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, first appeared in May 1939 and immediately became famous. In the late 60's the Batman TV series and movies followed. The pointy-ears-and-a-cape figure was one of many comic book superheroes. Marvel Comics itself has more than 200 characters.

Superheroes are a phenomenon admired by many in both hemispheres. Keywords are 'good, great, liked to help the oppressed, and fighting crime'. It is not surprising then that these figures of greatness are idols that easily find their way into the hearts of people.

Unfortunately, fiction is fiction. And all of the mass-marketed American superheroes are fictional. Any Indonesian... and/or native heroes around?

Based on various definitions, a hero is a remarkably brave person: somebody who commits an act of remarkable bravery or who has shown great courage, strength of character, or another admirable quality.

And Indonesia's historical struggles record many real-life heroes, starting in the 16th century during the Portuguese and Spanish trade monopoly. From the Molluccas comes the name Pattimura. In Java, the Javanese king Sultan Agung led a struggle against the control of the Netherlands. Teuku Umar, a Muslim scholar in Aceh, took part in leading the Dutch expulsion.

In their struggles they used mere bamboo stakes, Kris daggers, and other traditional weapons. No Batman beacon, web swinger, or flying Krypton guy to save the day. But the struggle continued through time and not in the blink of an eye. Many Indonesian heroes fell in the battlefield. Not a few leaders in the struggle were caught, punished and exiled, but the people's spirit of struggle did not subside.

The pastime warriors embraced the popular slogan "independence or death!" which meant that the Indonesian nation would never live unless free from colonization.

"A great nation is a nation that acknowledges its heroes," is the famous slogan. In Indonesia we knew the term from the classrooms. We were expected to honor the heroes who fought in the past and sacrificed for our gaining independence.

In Indonesia, this appreciation is realized on the appointed date of November 10, commemorated as National Hero's Day. On this day in 1946, Surabaya was in commotion because the Netherlands wanted to reoccupy Indonesia and disregard Indonesia's proclaimed Independence on August 17, 1945.

On every Monday morning, students are present in the school's flag-raising ceremony. They observe a moment of silence to honor the fallen heroes. They enter their classrooms of which walls are filled with illustrations and pictures of national heroes from all over Indonesia. They study about the history of the nation's struggle. Later, the early-graders go home along roads named after national heroes. However, once they reach home… and the television set is turned on... children's television hour programs are filled with Western superheroes.

Many people regret this. Most consider it a fad in nationalism. In fact, the sense of nationalism is not measured from the idolized character but from everyday behavior. It is obvious that access to and promotion of foreign idols is incessant. Meanwhile, recognition of the nation's heroes and historical personalities are limited due to poor literature. No wonder Western comic book figures and Hollywood personas win the appeal.

There's nothing wrong with the admiration of fictitious superheroes and western film characters. But we ought to pay respect to real life figures that defend the truth and stand up for the right – the quintessence of the true hero. ■

Text by Ni Luh Dian Purniawati, photos by Nyoman Ari Gunadi

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