Ordinary citizens, not heroes, determine the history of a nation.

Ordinary citizens, not heroes, determine the history of a nation.

12:40-1:10

Throughout the course of human history there have been many heroes. Heroes exist in every nation and are known for a great feat. However ordinary citizens are also important for a nation’s history. Heroes generally have extra characteristics qualities that set them apart from common citizens such as charisma, a personal unique vision, leadership and compassion. Although heroes are often lauded by many for these acts of greatness there are ordinary citizens that have changed the course of history of a nation.

First consider a situation in which a hero is responsible for determining the history of a nation. Often, in times of despair people have sought for someone to help them come out of suffering. In the United States, since the beginning of time, African Americans and minorities had been discriminated against by their skin color and had been offered low standards of living, education and the right to earn income or property. However, in the 1950s the separate but equal movement was initiated by groups to make their colored counterparts feel more welcome. In stark contrast, many colored individuals suffered greater discrimination by the separate but equal laws because if they did not, severe penalties were bound to occur. Soon, a young law graduate from Mississippi was going to change US history for the better. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr earned a PhD in Theology at a very young age and had a strong vision to end segregation in the United States. Dr. King used Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of Satyagraha, Non-cooperation and non-violence to bring equality of colored citizens and other minorities. He initiated many marches across the south to bring awareness of discrimination and segregation was wrong and inhumane to the white majority. The most famous march was in Washington that was aimed to end segregation and give equal opportunity to all people regardless of skin color. Likewise, MLK’s famous I have a Dream speech changed the course of US history by using non-violence to bring equal opportunity for colored people in all aspects of life. Thus MLK is a hero who had a set vision that must be accomplished and was successful.

In contrast, there are ordinary citizens, not heroes that have changed the course of history in a nation. On the early fall morning of September 11 , 2001 in New York City, many were not aware of the horrific tragedy that was imminent in a couple of hours. After flight 93 crashed into the first tower of the World Trade Center, people were in panic and had no idea how to cope with this disaster. However, the NYC fire department had many courageous firefighters that put their lives at risk to save innocent civilians from further harm and saving lives. The fire department as well as Mayor Rudy Giuliani were very quick to respond to the calamity at Ground Zero. Mayor Giuliani issued an instant state of emergency and is ordinary citizen who acted quickly and correctly to the situation at hand. Likewise, the general public also determine the history of a nation by taking part in the democratic process. Due to efforts of citizens, the US was able to elect the country’s first non-white President, Barack Obama, to office and was viewed as a milestone in US history. Also, everyday citizens contribute to the history of the nation by improving the economy through getting educated and getting jobs to improve the nation.

Thus it is circumstantial, of when a hero or an ordinary citizen will change the course of history in nation. A hero, is someone like MLK who has done something unique and made a major impact on the nation such as ending segregation. However ordinary citizens such as NYC firefighters change the course of history by doing their civil duties of helping people during a crisis which required no vision but immediate action. Therefore, either a hero or an ordinary citizen can change the course of history in nation, because it depends on the situation.