Oops! We had to remove the hero profile you’re looking for because it appears in our book Heroic Leadership: An Influence Taxonomy of 100 Exceptional Individuals, published by Routledge in 2013.
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— Scott Allison and George Goethals
Recognition doesn’t make a hero. Many heroes will be forever unknown to us, sadly. Recognition results from heroism, it is not the definition of it.
China is a real tough nut to crack when it comes to social reform. They are huge and monolithic and have had some form of oppressive government for centuries. I don’t envy their freedom fighters, but I admire them quite a bit. I always knew that I’d live to see the collapse of the Soviet Union (though it happened about fifteen years earlier than I expected), but with China I’m not sure– it could take a while longer. I hope not, though.
And I hope Mr Liu is granted his freedom soon.
It’s true that China is becoming less repressive. I have family living there. Recently, my aunt was able to create a facebook account. From what I have heard, Chinese citizens back then were forbidden to have any sort of social networking accounts. So it’s really remarkable of Liu Xiaobo to tirelessly reduce the oppressive hold that the Chinese government has on its citizens.
Liu’s non-violent approach for fundamental human rights is a key principle that revolutionaries in countries such as Libya and Tunisia should apply. Hopefully, Liu’s determination in the movement will eventually translate into success, as more and more people who hear his work and his vision will join his cause. His work will not go in vain.
Since it is widely believed that heroism is in the eyes of the beholder, what makes one a hero is a matter of perspective rather than a matter of popularity or recognition. Besides, there are many heroes who are not known by many people but they are might have contributed in significant ways to make the world we live in a better place.
In the case of Liu, although I hardly view him as a hero, I understand and respect what Liu has been attempting to do. And I see why many people might regard him as their hero.
To be willing to stand up against one person is already courageous. To be willing to stand up against a whole country’s government is remarkable. What makes Liu Xiaobo (劉曉波) so remarkable is that he was relentless in his resistance against the Chinese government. Also, coming from Taiwan, I can see on a regular basis that Taiwanese people and along with the Taiwanese government want to become more independent from the oppression of China.
I studied China a lot last year and in particular, their government and nation. I learned about how socially restricting China is and how people are forced to have a certain opinion in many respects. It is definitely honorable and brave when someone gives their life to be an example of a corrupt system. Liu Xiaobo has done this and more in hopes that notice of his situation will raise attention and cause others to act as well.