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Maya Angelou's Heroic Analysis

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Maya Angelou once said, “I think a hero is any person really intent on making this world a better place for all people.” Similar to Maya Angelou’s words, heroes are defined by how they bring positive change and make an impact on society. Heroes are people who possess qualities such as compassion and perseverance, which help them overcome obstacles and make differences in the lives of others. This is seen in Princess Diana, Oprah Winfrey, and Sona Dave. Princess Diana is an example of a person who demonstrated the meaning of a hero. She supported a diverse range of causes including the arts, children’s issues, HIV/AIDS funds, and efforts to ban landmines (“Princess Diana Biography”). Demonstrating qualities such as dedication, compassion for …show more content…
Proud of her heritage and nonconforming to thinking of the time surrounding racial discrimination, Winfrey raised African American consciousness among the student body at her college (Friedrich 33). After graduating, her determination to start a talk show stayed strong, even after the show received negative critiques and faced rejection several times (62). After launching The Oprah Winfrey Show, Winfrey discussed controversial issues such as child abuse, depression, and bullying. By provided a broad view of these problems, she changed public views about the topics. The Oprah Winfrey Show additionally centered on positive subjects such as spiritual values, healthy living, and self-help, whose information viewers could incorporate into their lives (“Oprah Winfrey Biography”). Moreover, Winfrey discussed the importance of education and encouraging women to establish careers in math and science fields. Her donations and support towards women pursuing these careers aided them in establishing independent lives (Friedrich 81). Motivated by the success of her show, Winfrey additionally initiated a national campaign to establish a database of convicted child abusers. After advocating before a U.S. Judiciary Committee, the Oprah Bill was signed, which established the abuser database and aids law enforcement agencies (62). Bringing a positive impact on the lives of child abuse victims, Winfrey stated, “For as …show more content…
After moving to the U.S. in her twenties, she confronted many obstacles such as adjusting to a new country and way of life. Becoming fluent in a language as well as helping to support her family and working towards a degree presented more challenges. However, being persistent in the face of these obstacles allowed her to become confident in her abilities, and when facing new situations. (Dave). Dave’s experiences have made a positive impact on her children’s lives, as her decisions have served as guiding examples for them. As a message to future generations Dave stated, “The biggest thing you should take away is to always be yourselves and not change what makes who you are for others” (Dave). Sona Dave has stayed determined through challenges, setting her attitude and decisions as a model for any

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