[八九点钟]ISSUE 48 BY Cherish

kidloveUID: 2814224

ISSUE48"The study of history places too much emphasis on individuals. The most significant events and trends in history were made possible not by the famous few, but by groups of people whose identities have long been forgotten."

WORDS: 598       TIME: 13:30-15:00                     DATE: 29/01/2011

In history, does some individuals weigh more or does by groups of anonymous people can human create the history? Actually, in my opinion, individuals and groups of people do not distinguish from each other. Individuals are generated from the masses; on the other hand, the multitudes of people are formed by distinctive individuals.

We cannot deny that, in history studies, the famous few often jump in front of our eyes and drag our attention to their own contributions to the development of a society, their importance in the process of certain movement. We, ordinary people, are mostly stunned and set them as our life-long sample to imitate. Indeed, it is those famous individuals who created special history and lighted up new eras, since they dared things that everyone afraid to do, even think of. Take the example of Christopher Columbus. The Italian captain, explorer and colonizer, first began to introduce his idea of crossing Atlantic Ocean in order to explore new continent to the royal family of Italy, but no one believed him. Later, he convinced the Spanish royal family, Isabel and Fernando, these two royal couple agreed to support him to realize his bold dream. As the result we all knew, he finally found the New World and hence, open a new era for the rest of the world. Despite of many different opinions on whether later the colonization he brought there was good or not, there's no doubt that Columbus was the boldest hero of that time for his fearless valor and attic faith, which leave his name permanently on the sheet of history.

However, when we focus on shining heroes with their boldness, sense of leadership among the masses, the wheel of time also bring us to common people hiding under the shadow of those famous few. Although names of majority of common people have not been written down, we are living in a world descended through efforts made by generations to generations. Costumes and traditions have been passed down in the beginning of society, every family, everyone that has ever lived on the earth; he will shoulder the burden of passing their history, traditions and cultures to his children, grandchildren. In ancient times, when people hadn't invented characters, there were even no pen nor papers to write with, people handed on their history, tradition, origin of tribe and necessary living strategies by telling stories to their descendents. Hence legends became a kind of host of history. Sagas often say that our colorful world and brilliant culture are create by all human beings as a whole, each of us is a creator of the world.

In addition, there goes a Spanish saying that no hay hombre sin hombre (no one can advance without another one). After every hero's back there is another supporter. Events that attract most eyes must be those of common people led by an intelligent and reasonable leader. For instance, in the movie Milk, 2008, the leading role Harvey Milk is definitely a leader conscious and with firm conviction. He leads his supporters no matter what races and sex they belong to, no matter where they are from and what they have been through, they march across the Castro Street of San Francisco in order to gain their gay rights. Eventually, their get what they long for and Harvey get a place in the government.

In the history, no matter how many famous few has made themselves famous and events possible, we are as well enjoying merits and contributions by generations. It is human-ourselves who make our global village keep going forward.