What makes some people give up in half a step, while others persist in their actions even when bullets whistle past their heads? Let’s take a look at five activists known in Poland and worldwide and try to identify their leading character traits. Heaving read this article, you will discover that being an activist can be defined in a number of ways. Apparently, practically everyone can use their own unique personal traits to do something good for themselves and others.
Table of Contents:
- Anna Dymna – Sensitivity and Empathy
- Pussy Riot Feminist Group – Courage
- Malala Yousafzai – commitent
- Angelina Jolie – Egalitarianism
- Marley Dias – creativity
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Anna Dymna – Sensitivity and Empathy
Charitable activity, and in particular being involved in an active support organisation, is a manifestation of social activism. But it is hard to talk about this type of activity without pointing to features such as empathy and sensitivity. No doubt, Anna Dymna unquestionably displays these traits. This Polish actress has been involved in various social campaigns for over two decades, and the fruits of her work include setting up Mimo Wszystko Foundation, which supports, among others, adults with intellectual disabilities.
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Pussy Riot Feminist Group – Courage
Courage is a personal trait which activists, of all people, undeniably possess in abundance. It is difficult to put a value on this trait and judge who showed more or less courage. However, in relation to the Russian feminist group, Pussy Riot, this trait is exceptionally well exhibited. It takes particular courage to organise protests and moral provocations in Russia, where such happenings can result in arrest or imprisonment. Suffice it to say that two group members were sentenced to two years in prison for their famous performance at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow in 2012.
Malala Yousafzai – commitment
Commitment is a quality that can certainly be attributed to most activists, especially those who have been active for years, driven by a vision of a better world for themselves and others, regardless of hurdles they need to overcome. But what if, instead of hurdles, these are bullets fired by Taliban militants? Aged 15, Malala Yousafzai survived an attack which targeted her in retaliation for her fight for girls’ right to education in Pakistan. She was hit in the head in the shooting. Despite this traumatic experience, her commitment to the cause of equal rights for women and men has not diminished. Two years later Malala became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Angelina Jolie – Egalitarianism
Egalitarianism can be defined as “striving to give people equal living conditions and rights”. The great and powerful of this world often talk about egalitarianism, but it is hard to find examples of real commitment in this sphere. Yet, there is a front page star who has fully committed herself to humanitarian work, mainly to the benefit of inhabitants of African countries – Angelina Jolie. Since 2001, this American actress has used her influence and popularity to actively and wholeheartedly support the poor, the suffering and those in need.
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Marley Dias – creativity
Marley Dias, an American of Jamaican descent, was 11 when she first noticed how belittled the role of Black female characters is in school reading. Encouragement from her mother spurred her on to organise the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign. As a result, with the support from internet users from all over the world, she managed to come up with a list of 1000 books in which Black women play an important role. Years later, the list was extended several times, while Marley’s story was filmed as “Let’s Read and Talk” series available on Netflix.
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Sources:
https://web.archive.org/web/20120820041141/http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/1,114881,12323116,Pussy_Riot_winne_chuliganstwa.html, dostęp: 04.11.2021.
Lamb Ch., To ja Malala, Prószyński i S-ka, Warszawa 2014.
https://noizz.pl/lifestyle/piec-aktywistek-ktore-odmienily-swiat-zanim-skonczyly-20-lat/xmnsdlq, dostęp: 04.11.2021.
