Philip Randolph: A True Hero

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The word hero is often used to describe a person who has a strong appearance, wears a cape, and who helps others. However, a true hero is more than what is shown on television or in comic books. A hero is a courageous person that acts to protect others and fight injustice, even when is not convenient and they have no concern for their own well being or recognition. Additionally, a hero is someone humanitarian, therefore, his ethnicity, gender, religion or flaws affect his heroism.
A. Philip Randolph, was an African American activist who wanted equal opportunities as Caucasian men and women had in the hiring of workers during World War 2. He supported the war, but thought it was unfair for our country to be fighting for justice when the US …show more content…
Industry owners contracted mostly white people including women, first before they hired any African American. This left many African Americans unemployed during times our country needed the most help just because of the racism that existed. He organized a march in Washington DC with an estimated 10,000 of African Americans to march and protest for equal hiring opportunities regardless of race and gender. He was asked by President Roosevelt to stop the march because it would be an embarrassment to the country by showing no sign of it being democratic and now that the US was involved in WW2 the last thing they wanted was a scandal. Randolph, on the other hand, refused to cancel the march until there was a change made in the segregation of colored people and white people in getting jobs. FDR was doubting what to do firstly, because he was afraid of upsetting the southerners in Congress who had already disagreed with him before and secondly, because he feared the aftermath of the march. At the end Randolph and President Roosevelt came to an agreement by creating Executive Order 8802 to end …show more content…
Philip Randolph who speak out for themselves and for millions more, but one that cause a major impact in society was Malala Yousafzai. She fought for her education rights by standing up to the Taliban, knowing full well that women were expected to keep their opinions to themselves in that region. In the same way, Randolph demanded equality in a country where African Americans didn’t have the importance they have now. She wanted to be able to have the liberty to go to school like men did, but her defiance resulted in her being shot by Taliban gunmen. She said that this attack only made her stronger and all doubt she ever had of fighting for her dreams disappeared and her only goal now was to accomplish for all women to gain education rights everywhere. Malala is a great example of a hero because she stood up for her rights and risked her life while expressing her yearning for an education. She didn’t expect the recognition she has now, rather she expected for the Taliban to give her education rights. She had the courage to do something many women wouldn’t have done and went and fight for not only for her dreams, but the dreams of millions of women who are prohibited to have an education. The Taliban’s attack didn’t stop Malala from continuing to fight for women’s education rights and in 2014 she won the Nobel Peace Prize. Just like Randolph who was asked to stop his march, but refused to do until an action
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