This week Time magazine revealed its annual Person of the Year. The person to hold the distinguished title wasn’t an A-list celebrity whose face is recognized by millions. Nor was it a highly respected scholar who has revolutionized history through his research. And it wasn’t even the highly likeable Duchess of Cambridge, who has become a worldwide sensation.
This year’s Person of the Year is an individual who can take many forms, stand for many causes and represents a multitude of perspectives. This year’s “it” person is the protester. The honor is bestowed on a man or woman and sometimes even a group or idea who Time executives believe have made the greatest impact of the year. While many people have been up in arms about the protester being bestowed such an honor; I think it’s incredibly fitting.
What’s also fitting is that Time’s distinction comes a year after the death of 26-year-old Mohamed Bouazizi. Bouazizi was the Tunisian man who sparked a revolution. After being unable to find a job, this Tunisian man sold fruit on the street. However, his produce was confiscated because he did not have a permit to sell. As a show of demonstration (and probably frustration), the man set himself on fire and died.
Thousands vowed that his death wouldn’t be in vain and they sparked a movement that resulted in their president Ben Ali, stepping aside.
Bouazizi’s mother was quoted as saying “My son set himself on fire for dignity.”
Who would have imagined that the sole act of this frustrated Tunisian man would incite a movement that millions around the world would follow. His actions started a global wave of dissent.
Over the past year, “the protester” has strongly declared his stance all over the world; be it Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Spain, Greece, Russia, the Congo, and various cities throughout the United States. “The protester” has even voiced his dissent right here in Indianapolis.
The Indianapolis protester I’m referring to are the hundreds of people, mostly African-Americans, who opposed the installation of a controversial sculpture downtown.
“E Pluribus Unum” was designed by New York sculptor Fred Wilson who reimagined an image of a slave with shackles in his hand sitting at the feet of whites did not sit well with many people in this community. As a result, protests began. Various committees were formed, town hall meetings were held and prominent leaders convened. This week, it was announced that the sculpture image of the “repurposed” slave would be discontinued and not be a part of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
There’s no greater feeling than standing up for what you believe and then seeing a positive change as a result of your actions.
Earlier this year I wrote an editorial where I discussed the power of the protester. I remember saying that those early protests in Tunisia and Egypt would have a lasting impact on the world if more people followed suit. Millions followed suit and as a result, many parts of the world are well on the way to being better for its occupants.
I salute the protesters all over the world. They not only voiced their concerns; they also changed the world.
Opposition can indeed be a good thing.
You can email comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
