Today, heroes and idols are seen as almost the same thing, but there are major differences between the two. Martin Luther King Jr. is widely considered a hero not only to African Americans, but also to the world. American Idol contestants are also seen as heroes, but on a smaller scale. By definition, a hero is "a man (occas. woman) generally admired or acclaimed for great qualities or achievements in any field," according to the Oxford Dictionary (OED def. 3A.). Whereas an idol by definition is “a person so worshiped” (OED def. 2B.) or “a false mental image or conception; a false or misleading idea; an error” (OED def. 6B.). The real heroes are those who have been at the forefront of great changes or who have achieved great things in their lives, like Martin Luther King Jr. Those who are seen on television on reality shows, like American Idol, who are trying to create a a dream coming true or becoming famous are idols, not heroes. In Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, King describes how African Americans are still not free despite Abraham Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation to free the slaves one hundred years ago. Before. By using words like “we” and “my friends,” King does not distinguish himself from those who listen to him, but instead groups himself with the audience creating a sense of togetherness. This allows the audience to better connect to the message King is trying to convey in his speech and relate to him as a person. The type of relationship King has with his audience, along with his message of equality without violence, made King a shining example of what a hero should be. King follows in the footsteps of President Abraham Lincoln, another hero in his own right, g...... middle of paper......zzFactor.com. Network. April 14, 2014.Farley, Frank. “Martin Luther King Jr., a hero for all time.” The people's professor. 18 January 2013. Network. 14 April 2014. “Hero, n.” definitely 3rd. Oxford English Dictionary. 3rd ed. Oxford UP, 2014. Web. 14 April 2014. “Idol, n.” definitely 2.b. Oxford English Dictionary. 3rd ed. Oxford UP, 2014. Web. 14 April 2014. “Idol, n.” definitely 6.b. Oxford English Dictionary. 3rd ed. Oxford UP, 2014. Web. April 14, 2014. King, Martin Luther Jr. “I Have a Dream.” 40 Model Essays: A Portable Anthology. 2nd edition. Jane E. Aaron and Ellen Khul Repetto. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2013. 358-62.Print."Martin Luther King Jr. - Biographical". Nobelprize.org. Nobel Media AB 2013. Web. 14 April 2014.Zengotita, Tommaso. “American Idol Worship.” 40 Model Essays: A Portable Anthology. 2nd edition. Jane E. Aaron and Ellen Khul Repetto. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin, 2013. 134-36. Press.