“War of the masses, the outcome, disastrous / Many of the victim family save they ashes / A million names on walls engraved in plaques / Those who went back, received penalties for they acts / Another heart is torn as close ones mourn / Those who stray, niggaz get slayed on the song.”
- GZA on Wu-Tang‘s “Triumph”

Pat Tillman was no doubt a hero. His case is certainly heartbreaking, and due to his unfortunate death, the fact that he turned down millions of dollars in the NFL to risk his life in Afghanistan brings several tough issues to the forefront.

Tillman’s death coupled with the Tami Silicio photo story has refocused the media (for the time being) on the human toll of the war. But the fact that a professional athlete’s death received major media attention does not mean that he was more of a hero than any other soldier.

The military is not a microcosm of our society. African Americans make up 12% of our population, yet 22% of the military. Numbers are similar for other minorities. Rich Americans simply do not serve in the military, and the burden too often falls to lower middle class citizens who don’t have any other options. With all the talk of a possible draft, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that even the people who enlist aren’t really doing it because they want to, but rather because they have to.

After 3 1/2 years of irresponsible economic policies that favor the wealthy at the expense of the poor, many have come to the conclusion the only way that they can make enough money for themselves and their families is to risk their lives in combat.

Just like the administration’s other policies, this one works because the people most affected don’t have much clout with the mainstream media, aren’t big campaign donors, and aren’t very likely to vote.

Tillman’s sacrifice certainly didn’t go unnoticed. But what about the rest?