Althusser
11th July 2012, 17:13
Well, I drafted my college entrance essay today. One of the acceptable topics was:
Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
Here's my 1st draft.
One of the many historical figures who inspires me the most would have to be Ernesto "Che" Guevara. His dedication and strength in ideals helped shape my view of the world and sense of justice. Che was a medical doctor before he became a revolutionary guerilla fighter. His three year campaign in the Sierra Maestra Mountains of Cuba to overthrow the Batista government, along with his work in the Congo and Bolivia, show his dedication to the peasant class and oppressed peoples of the world. His revolutionary action made me understand that if exploitation or other injustices go on in the world, it isn't enough to complain about it, but to do everything in your power to push for change for future generations.
Whatever profession in which I find myself in the future, I won't be lethargic or complacent when it comes to injustice going on around me or in the world. In essence, revolutionary thinkers and activists become who they are because of a desire to help people. Che’s medical training indicated his compassion to help people. Every time I hear about the great extent in which money influences politics and the bad bank loans that leave families homeless, it makes me wonder how anyone could stand by and watch without such compassion. Homes and healthcare should be secured; no one should be homeless or without food. Politics aside, these are basic necessities that the people of every nation deserve. I don't believe the rights of working people should act as pacifiers during times of economic prosperity, only to be taken away the moment economic hardships come. These are principals that Che fought for to help his people, principals I believe in. I care about my education a lot and have always tried to get great grades and hold on to lessons I’ve learned. I owe this dedication, in part, to the importance of education in the eyes of such great revolutionaries. Though school can be tough, I owe it to myself to get the best education I can, and people like Che inspire me to be aware and educated.
I am inspired by people like Che to discuss world issues and strengthen my convictions on them. I believe that a people’s environment is what shapes who they are. In a system that promotes greed and the mass accumulation of wealth, and relies on inequality to even exist, the people will act accordingly. Che's life, and works by people aligned with him politically, helped me realize real justice and real equality. I admire people who care about humanity and want to see a change for good. Obviously, there are people who like to tear such people down with lies, to undermine their achievements and make them out to be selfish and opportunistic. These labels don’t apply to me or Che. I want to see a change for the better in the same way he did, without any deceptive or sinister agenda. Che put aside his comfortable life in Argentina to live in the jungle for years and act as a liberator, though he, being the humble man that he was, claimed he was not a liberator, but that people must liberate themselves. Even after his original victory in Cuba, Che moved on to Bolivia to spark a peasant revolution elsewhere. Do these sound like the actions of an opportunist? Such acts made me realize that sacrifice, strength of the mind, and endurance is always necessary when trying to achieve something. Che was captured and executed in Bolivia; this was a fate Che seemed to have expected according to his writings. In a failed attempt to kill him quietly and prevent him from becoming a martyr, his hands were cut off by opposition forces, and his body was thrown with others into an airstrip ditch. Che’s bravery and selflessness influences me to this day.
I am very influenced by Che’s ideals. He made the ultimate sacrifice, and endured great hardships from the jungles of South America, to a Bolivian prison with a bullet in his leg, waiting to be executed. He had dedication, strong convictions, compassion, and bravery. These are great attributes to emulate, and I strive to live my life according to the principals of equality and justice.
Criticism of any kind is welcome.
Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
Here's my 1st draft.
One of the many historical figures who inspires me the most would have to be Ernesto "Che" Guevara. His dedication and strength in ideals helped shape my view of the world and sense of justice. Che was a medical doctor before he became a revolutionary guerilla fighter. His three year campaign in the Sierra Maestra Mountains of Cuba to overthrow the Batista government, along with his work in the Congo and Bolivia, show his dedication to the peasant class and oppressed peoples of the world. His revolutionary action made me understand that if exploitation or other injustices go on in the world, it isn't enough to complain about it, but to do everything in your power to push for change for future generations.
Whatever profession in which I find myself in the future, I won't be lethargic or complacent when it comes to injustice going on around me or in the world. In essence, revolutionary thinkers and activists become who they are because of a desire to help people. Che’s medical training indicated his compassion to help people. Every time I hear about the great extent in which money influences politics and the bad bank loans that leave families homeless, it makes me wonder how anyone could stand by and watch without such compassion. Homes and healthcare should be secured; no one should be homeless or without food. Politics aside, these are basic necessities that the people of every nation deserve. I don't believe the rights of working people should act as pacifiers during times of economic prosperity, only to be taken away the moment economic hardships come. These are principals that Che fought for to help his people, principals I believe in. I care about my education a lot and have always tried to get great grades and hold on to lessons I’ve learned. I owe this dedication, in part, to the importance of education in the eyes of such great revolutionaries. Though school can be tough, I owe it to myself to get the best education I can, and people like Che inspire me to be aware and educated.
I am inspired by people like Che to discuss world issues and strengthen my convictions on them. I believe that a people’s environment is what shapes who they are. In a system that promotes greed and the mass accumulation of wealth, and relies on inequality to even exist, the people will act accordingly. Che's life, and works by people aligned with him politically, helped me realize real justice and real equality. I admire people who care about humanity and want to see a change for good. Obviously, there are people who like to tear such people down with lies, to undermine their achievements and make them out to be selfish and opportunistic. These labels don’t apply to me or Che. I want to see a change for the better in the same way he did, without any deceptive or sinister agenda. Che put aside his comfortable life in Argentina to live in the jungle for years and act as a liberator, though he, being the humble man that he was, claimed he was not a liberator, but that people must liberate themselves. Even after his original victory in Cuba, Che moved on to Bolivia to spark a peasant revolution elsewhere. Do these sound like the actions of an opportunist? Such acts made me realize that sacrifice, strength of the mind, and endurance is always necessary when trying to achieve something. Che was captured and executed in Bolivia; this was a fate Che seemed to have expected according to his writings. In a failed attempt to kill him quietly and prevent him from becoming a martyr, his hands were cut off by opposition forces, and his body was thrown with others into an airstrip ditch. Che’s bravery and selflessness influences me to this day.
I am very influenced by Che’s ideals. He made the ultimate sacrifice, and endured great hardships from the jungles of South America, to a Bolivian prison with a bullet in his leg, waiting to be executed. He had dedication, strong convictions, compassion, and bravery. These are great attributes to emulate, and I strive to live my life according to the principals of equality and justice.
Criticism of any kind is welcome.