According to dictionary.com, the definition of a hero is “a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities” (dictionary.com). My view of a hero is not much different except that a hero isn’t just a man, but can also be a woman. People in the movie “Mississippi Burning” that qualify as heroes in my book are Agent Alan Ward and to a lesser extent Agent Rupert Anderson (because his reasoning for getting so involved was because he was involved with one of the deputy’s wife). People from the document, “The Murder of Emmett Louis Till” are the people who were willing make a testimony in the case against Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam, and NAACP officers who led an investigation to find eye witnesses. They are heroes because they were willing to take a stand when there was justice to be served, instead of just sitting back and letting injustice triumph. From the movie, “Mississippi Burning”, Agent Alan Ward was sent to Mississippi to investigate the murders of some civil rights workers. He fits the hero role very well because he is one that is willing to challenge the Southern way of thinking to get to the bottom of the investigation. Even though he was up against an entire town of Mississippi which the KKK and racial segregation have a strong hold and every Caucasian would stand in their way, and put his life on the line for justice. Just like Agent Ward stated, “Some things are worth dying for” (Ward). He was even willing to go against his morals and do things his partner, Agent Rupert Anderson’s way, which is more of the unethical or bad cop way. Agent Rupert Anderson also fills the role of a hero, but to a lesser extend because his reasoning was more of a selfish way of thinking. Although he played a big role in the investigation which is a brave deed, it was mainly for his own selfish reasoning, thus making him a hero to a lesser extent because his motives weren’t always noble. Never the less, they are both considered heroes because their investigation on the murders were acts of courage and bravery which aided in the civil rights movement because it exposed the racism of the south to the world.
The murder of Emmett Louis Till was another significant event towards to civil rights movement because it helped reveal the evils of the south. The heroes of this article are the people who were willing to make a testimony in the case against Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam, some NAACP officers, and some members of the black press. The people who made a testimony are heroes because it takes a lot of courage to come out and go against the Caucasians in court during that era. In that time, African Americans from the south who would stand up against the Caucasians would be in mortal danger because of the KKK and other white supremacists dominated the south and people who go against them would be hanged or die in through other terrible ways. The NAACP officers would show similar bravery as they put themselves in danger by going out to investigate and looking for witnesses of the murder.
There are different definitions of a hero, but the people I’ve mentioned in the essay fit the description of heroes. They all show signs of noble qualities and accomplished some brave deeds which fit mine and the conventional dictionary definition of heroes. They all were willing to put things on the line for justice and set an example to all which helped towards the civil rights movement. Like stated in the end of the movie, “Mississippi Burning”, these heroes will be “Not Forgotten”.
Order an original custom essay and get 20% off.
Sign-up for a database of essay examples and get inspiring ideas!
No comments:
Post a Comment