“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”
- Joseph Campbell
There are numerous heroes among us and for the most part those heroes are usually unknown to the world. These heroes just go about their day like everyone else except with one difference, they would put their lives on hold so they could help the less fortunate any way they can. Sacrifices must be made and most of the times these heroic acts go unrecognized and unheralded. Nevertheless, many of these heroes do not care and are not in it for the praise, in fact most of the time all they want to do is just help because they can.
A good example of this is a woman who is one of the most beautiful women in the world. She has all the fame and fortune a person can dream of but instead of doing what most famous people do, she spends her free time in foreign countries helping to make refuges have a better life. This woman does not do the things she does, for praise and fame but instead, just wants to help out of the goodness in her heart. Even though she does not do what she does to get praise, people praise her anyways. She is one of the most influential figures in today’s society. Well-known humanitarian, Goodwill Ambassador, actress and devoted mother, Angelina Jolie stands out as a modern day hero.
On June 4, 1975, Angelina Jolie Voight was born to an established Hollywood actor John Voight and the part-Iroquois, part-French actress and model Marcheline Bertrand. Angelina wasn’t even 1 year old before her parents split up and her mother moved back to the East Coast taking Angelina and her brother James with her. Despite her parent divorce, Angelina Jolie’s childhood was a happy one filled with snakes and lizards as pets and having ...
... middle of paper ...
... devote your life to causes. It’s not just lending you face. It’s giving yourself.” States Natalie Portman. (http://angelinasource.awardspace.com/) Growing from a rebellious actress into a beautiful world-changing humanitarian, a goodwill ambassador and a motivated mother, Angelina Jolie proves to the world that no matter what we are doing now, anybody can make a difference. Millions of refugees around the world are better off because of her dedication and hard work. Children who were starving, homeless, and sick now have a place for education and homes. Women from all over are inspired by her bravery for getting a double mastectomy. Although she likes her life to be private, Angelina Jolie chose action despite the risk. So the next time there is a problem that can be stopped whether it is big or small, remember how easy it is to do nothing and then do something.
Who is a hero? In contemporary times, usage of the term has become somewhat of a cliché. Over the years, the term “hero” has become representative of a wide variety of individuals, each possessing differing traits. Some of the answers put forth by my colleagues (during our in-class discussion on heroism) as to whom they consider heroes pointed to celebrities, athletes, teachers and family members. Although the occupations differed, each of their heroes bore qualities that my classmates perceived as extraordinary, whether morally or physically. Nonetheless, Webster’s defines “hero” as “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.” Thus, it is worth considering that individuals become heroes relative to the situation with which they’re faced.
Angelina Jolie’s persuasive speech at the World Refugee day was direct. From the beginning she got straight to the point, “We are here today…millions of desperate families.” She announces the problem that she will be addressing in her first sentence and tells the audience why she is there. Then she states the purpose statement, which was, “Refugees are not number but are farmers, teachers, mothers, and most importantly, individuals.” She also included a personal opinion, saying that the “refugees are the most impressive people I have ever met.”
A current event that is stirring much controversy in the media is the story of Bruce now known as Caitlyn Jenner. This story is in the headlines for several reasons. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the subject is not the issue I will be discussing, however, I will address in this paper the debate whether Caitlyn Jenner deserves the title of Hero or not. To analyze this debate we must look at what constitutes a hero in today’s society, what does this individual represent, lastly, is it wrong to use the label of a hero for Caitlyn Jenner? Knowing these answers will hopefully result in a further definitive answer.
The audience knows Angelina Jolie as an excellent actress. She is using her celebrity influence to push for worldwide action toward the Syrian refugee crisis through emotional articles, essays through newspapers, magazines to share her experience with the audience. Angelina Jolie spent time with a Syrian refugee family during a humanitarian trip and said that the conflict in Syria has "created a wave of human suffering." Syrians are suffering from the bombs, chemical weapons, rape and massacres (Jolie, 44). For example, she mentioned a story in her essay “A new level of refugee suffering: Complementary”a family of eight children with no parents, their father had been killed and mother was taken by ISIS (Jolie, 44). Angelina Jolie is very emotional when it comes to the fight against the refugee crisis, in her article “A new level of refugee suffering: Complementary” she recalls the stories which she heard from the Syrian refugees which made her speechless and very emotional toward helping these refugees to raise the issue to the world and helping them to defend the country and resolve the refugee crisis (Jolie, 45). Angelina Jolie evokes – “ How can you speak when a women your own age looks you in the eye and tells you that her whole family was killed in front of her, and that she now lives alone in a tent and has minimal
Oskar Schindler was a German business man in German occupied Poland during WWII and the Holocaust. He was described as “...a cynical, greedy exploiter of slave workers...a black-marketeer, gambler, member of the Nazi party eternally on the lookout for profit, an alcoholic playboy and shameless womanizer…” (oskarschindler.com). However, as the he began to be exposed more and more to the horrors of the Holocaust, he devised a plan to save Jews from slavery and extermination. He built factories that Jews from concentration camps would come to live and work in, away from the prying eyes of the Nazi SS, where they would be fed, allowed to sleep, and be treated as human beings. He saved more than 1,000 “Schindler Jews” as they came to be called, from extermination. Oskar Schindler is now known as a hero, disproving the common theory that those who have not shown previous integrity and good choices cannot be heroes. In more recent times, Angelina Jolie, a former Hollywood actress who early in her life working in the movie industry was involved in several unethical incidents, “she even admitted to trying alcohol, suicide and drugs in an attempt to overcome her existential emptiness” (International Business Times). However, Jolie is now the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHRC) Special Envoy, focusing on large scale crisis’ resulting in mass
What makes someone a hero? A hero isn’t a celebrity or someone who can fly, have super speed, or shoot lasers out of their eyes. A hero is just an ordinary citizen that fights to solve a widespread issue in today’s society. A hero is an ordinary individual who rises to the occasion and fights the issues with superhero behavior, without the actual super powers. A hero is someone just similar to everyone else, but when they see a problem they have the bravery to step up and fix it without thinking twice. In the United States, a hero is someone whose character and qualities inspire others to live in life with fulfillment and compassion.
"World Refugee Day: Angelina Jolie calls for greater understanding of the plight of refugees." unrefugees.org. USA for UNHCR., April 2013. Web. 20 Oct 2013.
This woman deserves a term of her own and it’s not a celebrity or saint, she would be the first one to admit that. She is a rare example of the grounded rising above the flighty in a self-absorbed society, and I can’t applaud, admire, and thank her enough”. Angelina and Brad continue to pursue acting careers and humanitarian projects. Angelina has not only changed the way people view women, she has helped children around the world and made this world a better place.
A hero is a person who cedes to benefit others. Through many complications that were faced they stood up with the greatest bravery. Welles Crowther is a great example of a hero who sought to help the other people in the World Trade Center during 9/11. Though he could’ve saved himself he tried to save others. Though he lost his life he inspired others to help others in need. Ling Young says,”He said,”I’m going back up again.” Cause he knows that there were a lot of people still up there on the 78th floor that needed help (“The Man in the Red Bandana”). Though he could have saved
Thesis : Oprah Winfrey remained as a hero for many people because of her devotion in being an independent lady, a volunteer and a compassionate.
There is another type of hero that almost no one is aware of. In the poorest areas of the country, live mostly minorities and other ethic background. All their lives they’ve been expected to work harder and expected not succeed in life. Some individuals living in poverty with a determination to succeed work hard all of their lives to become what everybody doubted they could. Escaping the crime, drugs, and prostitution is enough to escape hell, even if they don’t go to college. Despite of their financial problems, drug and crime surroundings, or difficulties in the language skills, their desire to triumph fuels their persistence. Those who make it to success are the few living examples of the purest form of hero anyone can be. They are not only their own heroes but also the heroes of the poor children who dream of becoming like them someday.
Heroes are ordinary people who do unbelievable things. Heroes are people who stand up for what they know is right no matter the consequences. Most of all, heroes are men and women who see an opportunity for change and seize it. They use these opportunities to not only make things right, but to make things happen.
There is 107,918 foster Children waiting to be adopted and there is 50,644 foster kids that have been adopted. Angelina raised awareness for this by adopting 3 of her own children. I believe that heros are kind and caring. I chose Angelina jolie as my hero because she supported so many charities and showed kindness while helping others. The first reason why i chose Angelina is because shes caring . She shows being caring while helping refugees . Making sure that theyre okay and that theyre safe from any harm and that they have enough food and water. An example for this is when she helped refugees in jordan giving them food and water after things going on in syria. The second reason i chose her is because she is determined to make sure people
On a sunny day in Los Angeles, California on June 4 , 1975 an actress named Angelina Jolie was born. Angelina was born to an actor named Jon Voight who was well known for his role in “Coming Home” and an actress Marcheline Betrand. Angelina was the youngest of her siblings , she had an older brother named James Haven. When Angelina was two her parents split and she moved to Palisades, New York with her mother and brother.
Another reason she is my hero is she loves to be a humanitarian. There are many humanitarian works that she has joined. Jolie first witnessed the effects of a humanitarian crisis while filming (2001) in war-torn Cambodia, an experience she later credited with having brought her a greater understanding of the world. She donated to an international UNHCR emergency appeal. Jolie was named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador at UNHCR