In each of these occurrances, there has been not only a moral dilemma, but also something has been at stake, both for the individuals involved and the entire nation. Both center around the rights of black americans; the first, with attending school, and the second with lack of justice.

From their reaction to these risks, heroes are made. Heroes are defined by the society that they come from; there is a difference between the heroes of the past and "contemporary American heroes".

Both of the situations provided above have raised important issues for America, and as such, have provided an opportunity to create a hero from their context in the civil rights movement. What a real American hero would do and what was done sometimes differ, however.

However, should an American decide to act in a heroic manner, there are costs involved, both to him/herself, and to his nation.

From the diffuculties of becoming a hero, it is believed that there are no "real American heroes" left today. This is supported by The Day America Told the Truth, a book by James Patterson and Peter Kim, in which they argue that:"The majority of us (70%) believe that America has no living heroes today. About the same number say that our children have no meaningful role models".[p.207] However, one must wonder why one would think this.

Finally, the teachings of the Post World War II era are very significant. These lessons learned can be applied in the modern day, post cold war period of time.