Locations and forms of power – Heroic figures

Locations and forms of power –Heroic figures

Firstly, I would give the definition of the notion of locations and forms of power:

Power is the ability to influence the behaviour of people. In order to live together, members of a community accept rules and laws. This helps to create social cohesion but can also lead to conflicts and tensions. Even when authority seems absolute, there are always counter-powers, which question it, aim at limiting its excesses and resist it.

A form of power could be the people, who are doing something on their own to change the world and make it a better place.

Today I would talk about: do we need to be famous to be a heroic figure, to do something?

To begin, lets define a heroic action. It can be something enormous that changes the world in a big way, like a hero in the fictitious meaning. A heroic figure is then a hero like in the books or movies, someone that represents an ideal, embody values.

But a heroic figure can also exist in the real life, where some people are considered as such because they did extraordinary things or promote a great message. They are symbols of peace; fight against racism, sexism, or for equality.

These heroes in real life are often famous people who are doing great things.

Take for example Emma Watson. She became famous with her role of Hermione in the movies Harry Potter. In 2014, she is appointed Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women. She is fighting mostly for gender equality but also for girl education all over the world.

She created a solidarity campaign, with the UN Women, called HeForShe, based on gender equality.

She was already famous for her roles in cinema but she is more so now by her involvement in important issues.

All as Leonardo Dicaprio and his involvement in global warming issues, especially with his speech at the opening of Climate Summit in 2014. He created the Foundation Leonardo Dicaprio in 1998 to support organization that deliver sustainable development. He also makes donations to WWF.

These people have a very big influence on the public, especially young public and use it in a good way, to encourage the other to do the same. They have power, and use it to do heroic actions.

Moreover, they have money, which makes their impact even bigger.

But an heroic figure can also be an average person, who want to do good thing.

Like Malala. She was a young unknown girl in Pakistan, when she started her blog about her life under Taliban rule that banned women’s education. A year later, she starred in a documentary by the NY Times about the death threats she was receiving in Swat.

In October 2012, Taliban members boarder her school bus and shot her in the head. She miraculously survived and now she is an inspiration for girls all over the world.

She was not famous but wanted to change things, fight for what she believed in

That shows us that everyone can be a heroic figure, at its scale. No need to be famous.

Effectively, famous people have more impact and can do great thing to e considered as an heroic figure but everyone, daily and like I said at his scale, can do heroic things and became an heroic figure at least for somebody.

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