Is Luigi Mangione This Generation's Folk Hero?
Most of us grew up reading stories of famous folk heroes who "took from the rich and gave to the poor." Of course I'm referencing Robin Hood here, but there were many others who fought in the name of justice for things that you and I might consider common sense.
For example, John Brown, an ardent Puritan abolitionist, led a raid on the Harpers Ferry federal armory in order to spark a slave rebellion, with the intent of ending slavery. He and his sons killed 5 men, and Brown was tried and executed.
Davy Crockett, otherwise known as the "King of the Wild Frontier," adamantly opposed the Indian Removal Act, imposed by President Andrew Jackson which led to the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans during the Trail of Tears, eventually costing Crockett his political career. After his death at the Battle of the Alamo he gained legendary fame in pop culture, mostly thanks to Walt Disney, and is forever immortalized in "The Ballad of Davy Crockett."
In 1861 Sojourner Truth was arrested and called into court six times for violating laws prohibiting African Americans from entering the State of Indiana.
“No negro or mulatto shall come into or settle in the State, after the adoption of this Constitution.” - Article 13 of Indiana's 1851 Constitution
When confronted by a particularly hostile crowd who claimed she was really a man in disguise, Truth opened her shirt to show her breasts, saying she had "suckled many a white babe," later equated to "symbolic rape" by modern scholars.
And finally Robin Hood himself, though completely legendary, spent his time stealing from folks like the Sheriff of Nottingham (a slightly overweight wolf) and Prince John (an immature lion with a propensity for whining), a tyrannical ruler who taxed the poor and kept all the gold for himself.
Sound familiar?
This brings us to 2025, a time when there are many leaders taxing the poor and hoarding the gold. And where are all the folk heroes now?
Some might say sitting in federal lockup in Brooklyn.
On December 4th of last year Luigi Mangione, a squeaky-clean Ivy League graduate with a fabulous dental plan, shot and killed Brian Thompson, CEO of United Healthcare. In a 262-word manifesto Mangione detailed his motivations, namely the high cost of healthcare vs. the low life expectancy rate in the United States. As more was discovered about the toothsome young killer, we began to paint a picture of a kid with chronic pain, complex mental-health issues, and an aversion to his family's privilege.
"But violence is not the answer!" we cried, just as we had only a few months before in Butler, Pennsylvania, waving our righteous flags. "Sure, we understand. But we would never condone such a thing."
However, as more information hit the headlines and we shared our personal stories on social media, it turns out that millions of Americans die each year waiting for health coverage from their insurance companies. Millions. Sometimes due to financial problems, but mainly because insurance companies deny coverage for anything they don't consider "necessary medical care." Things like nausea medication for kids with cancer. Insulin for patients with Type 1 Diabetes. And even denying 90% of patient care for the elderly, in error, due to faulty AI systems.
And so Luigi took it into his own hands. And no, it wasn't how we'd do it. And no, we wouldn't be that guy in Butler, Pennsylvania either. But those of us who were blowing the righteous horns of anti-political-violence prior to January 20th have gotten very, very quiet.
Today former New York State Congressman George Santos was sentenced to 87 months in prison for 23 counts of fraud, something he'll likely be pardoned for by the Trump Administration before his date of surrender in July.
Donald Trump himself was charged and convicted of 34 counts of fraud in the Stormy Daniels hush-money case, not to mention rape and defamation in a civil suit for which he owes $88 million in damages to journalist E. Jean Carroll. He will serve no time for his crimes.
And so what are we to do with someone like a Luigi Mangione, a John Brown, a Sojourner Truth, a Robin Hood? Should we be blamed for not fearing them, not hating them, and quietly setting down that righteous banner we held onto for so long? Is it wrong to understand them and wish, maybe, that they, too, could be pardoned?
Today Luigi Mangione pled not guilty to the death of Brian Thompson, and I'm sure we all have opinions about that despite how we feel about the case as a whole. Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi is seeking the death penalty for the young Robin Hood.
“Luigi Mangione’s murder of Brian Thompson — an innocent man and father of two young children — was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America. After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trump’s agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again.” - Pam Bondi
Now, I don't want to put words in America's mouth, but he wasn't innocent and we certainly weren't shocked. And Donald Trump's agenda isn't making anyone safer, no matter your financial status, your legal paperwork, your neighborhood, your travel plans, your race, or your family planning.
It would seem we all have a target on our backs now.
And it ain't coming from Sherwood Forest.
Ellie is an author, editor, and owner of Red Pencil Transcripts, and works with filmmakers, podcasts, and journalists all over the world. She lives with her family just outside of New York City, and is represented by Vicki Marsdon at High Spot Literary.
Although I certainly don't support what he did, it's very easy to understand his frustration with the health care situation in this country. I see it more as a "take form the poor and give to the rich" system myself.
Reverse Robin Hood, huh?