Southern Heroes

The South has produced some of the planet's greatest people. These Southern heroes have changed the world and will continue to change it as long as we continue to let them inspire us.

While there are countless heroes that could be discussed, we can only highlight a few. 

Those that we are emphasizing were chosen because their lives represent the character and soul that is so vital to the Southern identity.

Obviously, you have already heard about these men. Their heroics have made them legendary. But it’s important to note that none of them were perfect – all made mistakes. 

However, if we take the qualities that these men have in common, we will have very strong example for how we should live our lives.

The Southern Heroes:

Thomas Jefferson (Virginia)

• He was a revolutionary, a philosopher, a gentleman-farmer, and the intellectual architect of the United States of America. Jefferson is the intellectual giant of this group as he championed a structure of ideas that went on to change the world.

Robert E Lee (Virginia)

• He perhaps best symbolizes the combination of character and heart. A general for the ages, he rejected slavery, fought for Southern independence, and then worked to improve post-war relations between the North and South. While Robert E Lee is the warrior of the group, he is also the exemplar of class. He was an intimidating military genius but did his best to use his skills for the forces of good.

Martin Luther King Jr. (Georgia)

• This much celebrated man also embodies all the qualities of a great Southern man. He was committed to virtue but was unwilling to stop fighting for what he believed in. King is the moral leader of the group and used his influence to urge others to embrace virtue and become men/women of character.

Elvis (Mississippi)

• While Elvis’s impact was less political than the others, his was still a large force. He undeniably worked to become a better person while his passion and soul ripped apart the established culture. Therefore, of this list he represents the most passionate.

 
All of these men were revolutionaries in their time. And while they all felt tremendous pressure to give up and return to a "normal" life, none of them did. They continued stand against the established powers and fight for what they believed in until the bitter end.

And because they had the heart to continue, these heros changed the world.