The brilliant writer and film maker Sherman Alexie's film, Smoke Signals, features a short chant that goes:
John Wayne's teeth,
Are they false, are they real?
Are they plastic, are they steel?
It is an inquiry into the authenticity of multiple myths, not the least of which addresses the monolithic heroism of the famous film star where, uncannily, "the cowboys always win."
More and more communities are wisely and thankfully losing faith in the silver bullet solution of the "hero", whether locally or non-locally originated, who will "save" people from their collective deficiencies. These are the communities where authentic heroes have one message to the people in the community: "When you're wondering where the leader is on this (name an issue), pick up a mirror."
In all of the communities I'm working with around the country more and more people get that leader is convener of new conversations. Period.
