"Certainly it is a fearful business, that of having your Ableman to seek, and not knowing in what manner to proceed about it! That is the world's sad predicament in these times of ours."
-----Carlyle, "On Heroes, Hero-Worship and the Heroic in History"
A young sports star is chosen to rule a sport. At 26 years of age he is considered a failure because he hasn't reached the potential bestowed upon him by others. Be they fans, journalists or peers, the great anomaly of his accomplishments are not enough. In a team sport he is labelled the sole source of defeat for his team.
Success in American Culture is believed to be a miraculous process birthed from inspiration, hard work, and ability. The chosen individual must gain success. If not, then he's an imposter or, even worse, a slacker. Here we see the petulance of the choosers rather than the failures of the chosen. Success is not an elective meritocracy automatically crowning itself.
People grow impatient and ask the man they Crowned before any Coronation, "How dare you act like the King we have always told you you were?!"
At 26 he is a reviled thing, a living, dethroned, King.
He is young, healthy, and financially set. Nonetheless, many Americans expect him to suffer dearly. Their expectations depose the King.
Hero worship is often a cruel burden put on the chosen for something the choosers would never dare wish. LeBron James is not a victim, but millions of Americans want him to be one.
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