Hijacking Holiness: The Misuse of a Hero's Legacy The recent controversy surrounding the use of Ho Feng shan's World War II legacy to sell luxury homes in his hometown has sparked debate about the commodification of heroism.
Manli Ho, daughter of the "Chinese Schindler," has condemned the real estate website's use of her father's name. The juxtaposition of a hero who saved thousands of lives with the luxury of $40,000 homes is jarring.
But what's more disturbing is the way this incident reveals a deeper issue: the tendency to co opt historical significance for commercial gain. Ho Feng shan's story is one of remarkable courage and conviction.