I suppose that any “best of” list is just a matter matter of opinion. So in a sampling of one--this "Top 2"--is only an opinion but, I will submit, a valid opinion. I know that there are men who may have had a greater effect on the culture. However, I believe that William Shakespeare and John Wayne are the--Greatest White Men Ever--because they created respectively how we see ourselves as humans and Americans.
I would refer you to a full discussion on Shakespeare with Harold Bloom’s, The Invention of the Human Being, “We need to exert ourselves and read Shakespeare as strenuously as we can, while knowing that his plays will read us more energetically still.”
Even today Shakespeare's plays are a metaphor for Western culture. We see ourselves in his characters. Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet and the bloody fate of Julius Caesar are all plays and characters that are known culturally by the Children of the West.
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves." from Julius Caesar
John Wayne and Shakespeare are alike in some ways. Both were actors and theatrical businessmen. And, like Shakespeare, Wayne is that sort of figure who has shaped the cultural image of Americans, both how we see ourselves and how others see us.
John Wayne had a lot of strong ideas but I know he believed in hard work, honesty, integrity, and standing up for your beliefs. He had a great amount of self reliance and self understanding. I believe all Americans strive to have these positive traits and most Americans, including President Obama, would say that these are the strongest parts of their character.
Regardless of your political views you want to be like John Wayne--in his acting and in his life, he was strong and brave. Most Americans want to be a champion riding the West, bringing justice to a lawless land. It is only in the definition of a “Justice” that we differ as Americans.
I know that in these troubled times, John Wayne would say, "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway."
I nominate William Shakespeare and John Wayne as the--Top 2 Greatest White Men Ever.
I would refer you to a full discussion on Shakespeare with Harold Bloom’s, The Invention of the Human Being, “We need to exert ourselves and read Shakespeare as strenuously as we can, while knowing that his plays will read us more energetically still.”
Even today Shakespeare's plays are a metaphor for Western culture. We see ourselves in his characters. Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet and the bloody fate of Julius Caesar are all plays and characters that are known culturally by the Children of the West.
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves." from Julius Caesar
John Wayne and Shakespeare are alike in some ways. Both were actors and theatrical businessmen. And, like Shakespeare, Wayne is that sort of figure who has shaped the cultural image of Americans, both how we see ourselves and how others see us.
John Wayne had a lot of strong ideas but I know he believed in hard work, honesty, integrity, and standing up for your beliefs. He had a great amount of self reliance and self understanding. I believe all Americans strive to have these positive traits and most Americans, including President Obama, would say that these are the strongest parts of their character.
Regardless of your political views you want to be like John Wayne--in his acting and in his life, he was strong and brave. Most Americans want to be a champion riding the West, bringing justice to a lawless land. It is only in the definition of a “Justice” that we differ as Americans.
I know that in these troubled times, John Wayne would say, "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway."
I nominate William Shakespeare and John Wayne as the--Top 2 Greatest White Men Ever.
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