One Man, One Riot
I watched the movie "Spartan," and Val Kilmer's character made mention of a saying "one riot, one ranger." Val's character also explained that Leonidas I, king of Sparta, who, when a neighbor state needed military aid, would send one man.
Reflecting back on this line, I wonder if one person can truly make a difference? Although very few major events in history have ever been done by one person, but is it possible? Rosa Parks didn't move to the back of the bus, which started a riot of sorts, leading to the desegregation and integration of the South (and elsewhere). But she didn't do it alone. She merely provided the spark to set things in motion.
Fidel Castro led the hostile takeover of Cuba, but he did not do it alone. Jackie Robinson is often credited as the person who integrated sports, but he didn't do it alone. Nelson Mandela is often credited as the person who brought down apartheid, but he didn't do it alone.
Again, I continue to ask myself if one person can make a difference? If one person can't make a difference by themselves, how many more are needed to institute significant change?
The conclusion that I have come to, as of now, is that it doesn't take many to make a difference, but those that join the cause must be able to sacrifice everything. Rosa risked death by defying the whites (in a time and place that lynchings were commonplace), Fidel and his men risked their lives (and many paid that price), Jackie risked a life of shame and ridicule, and Nelson risked death to convey his activist messages. I think that it shows that sometimes greatness really is thrust upon people. These people didn't wake up one morning and decide that they wanted to be top billing in history books, all they wanted was to fight for a cause they felt was worth fighting for. Those that fought along side of them and died are nowhere to be found in the annals of time, yet they made the ultimate sacrifice that someone else has taken credit for simply because they survived.
I don't think anyone is left in our society that is willing to fight the fight. The apathetic, me-first, entitlement-demanding people may want change, but are scared to do what it takes to make it happen. I want change. I demand change. As much as I want to start the riot, I'm afraid I will be alone, so again I wonder: can one person make a difference?
Reflecting back on this line, I wonder if one person can truly make a difference? Although very few major events in history have ever been done by one person, but is it possible? Rosa Parks didn't move to the back of the bus, which started a riot of sorts, leading to the desegregation and integration of the South (and elsewhere). But she didn't do it alone. She merely provided the spark to set things in motion.
Fidel Castro led the hostile takeover of Cuba, but he did not do it alone. Jackie Robinson is often credited as the person who integrated sports, but he didn't do it alone. Nelson Mandela is often credited as the person who brought down apartheid, but he didn't do it alone.
Again, I continue to ask myself if one person can make a difference? If one person can't make a difference by themselves, how many more are needed to institute significant change?
The conclusion that I have come to, as of now, is that it doesn't take many to make a difference, but those that join the cause must be able to sacrifice everything. Rosa risked death by defying the whites (in a time and place that lynchings were commonplace), Fidel and his men risked their lives (and many paid that price), Jackie risked a life of shame and ridicule, and Nelson risked death to convey his activist messages. I think that it shows that sometimes greatness really is thrust upon people. These people didn't wake up one morning and decide that they wanted to be top billing in history books, all they wanted was to fight for a cause they felt was worth fighting for. Those that fought along side of them and died are nowhere to be found in the annals of time, yet they made the ultimate sacrifice that someone else has taken credit for simply because they survived.
I don't think anyone is left in our society that is willing to fight the fight. The apathetic, me-first, entitlement-demanding people may want change, but are scared to do what it takes to make it happen. I want change. I demand change. As much as I want to start the riot, I'm afraid I will be alone, so again I wonder: can one person make a difference?
posted by Rocco @ 1:12 PM
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