Notion anglais Myths and heroes

Myths and heroes

A hero, according to Cambridge dictionary is a person who is admired for having done something very brave or having achieved something great. To put in other words, a hero is a person who is admired for his achievements and qualities. But what does it takes to be a hero?

1. Heroes of our societies

1. Everyday heroes, firefighters

• Not afraid to put their own life at risk for the good of other. They put their lives in danger every day, without thinking about themselves to save other people. For example, on the day of the 9/11 incident, a lot of them were there, in the tower, evacuating all the people and a lot of them died. So firefighters are everyday heroes, there are not just heroes for one action they did but for the way of living they chose.

1. Representation of American dream, Oprah Winfrey

• Oprah was born in a quite poor family in 1954. She embodies the American dream and the notion of “self-made women”. Thanks to her determination and hard work, she made her way up the social ladder. She is now one of the most influential women through her famous TV show broadcasted in 144 countries and is really admired.

1. Historical hero

1. Fight for black community, Martin Luther King

• He was a Civil Rights leader against racial segregation. His “I have a dream” speech became really famous and is now known by everyone and he helped to abolish the Jim Crow laws that made segregation legal. He was shot in 1968. He is a hero because he fought for the Human Rights of the black community  

1. National heroes

1. Girls education in Pakistan, Malala

• She is a children’s rights activist. In 2012, she was shot by a Taliban in her school bus. She survived and kept fighting for her cause. She was awarded the Nobel peace prize.

1. Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi

• She is the daughter of a Burma’s independence hero, General Aung San who was murdered. She spent her life fighting against the military dictatorship and was under house arrest for several years. She was also awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1991. She is currently at the head of her country. She has however been criticized for her silence concerning the massacre of a Muslim minority (Rohingyas).

To conclude, a hero is someone you look upon for their actions. We usually consider heroes people who fought for Human right, but also people who fight for other or are admired for what they have achieved. The case a Aung San Suu Kyi really shows that what makes you a hero are your action and it is not because you were considered a hero for something that you are going to stay considered as one, or be considered as one by everyone.

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