Making a Change

If we look back through history there are many people who have made a difference in the lives of others. They did this by standing up for what they believe in, in some cases by just what they did or who they are.

People like Elvis, Michael Jackson and Madonna used their music as a way to make change. Each was idolised and people soon began to follow the new trend they started with their music. Music lovers around the world started to dress like their idols. Not only a new music trend was born but also a fashion trend as well. Other musicans like Bob Dylan have used their music to protest about things like the Vietnam War.

David Beckham came from a country that is totally into their football. Most people would have a team that they followed at a national level. On his move to the USA, he found a culture that were not so obsessed with football but he managed to still make a change. He is so well known for his football that the amount of kids playing football in the States increased.

Others who made change in a subtle way, are people like Rosa Parks. Rosa lived in time when black and whites were treated differently. They had drinking fountains that said 'whites only' and 'coloureds'. On the bus the people were seperated by the colour of their skin. Rosa refused to be treated badly when the bus driver moved the 'coloureds only' sign further back so she had to stand up. She was thrown off the bus and this began a very famous bus bycott by the Negroes of Montegomery. The bus company's funds were down so badly with no Negroes travelling on the buses they had to start to treat the Negroes better.

Many films have been made about how a single everyday person or a football team have helped change the attitude of people especially realted to the black and white issues in the USA. Films like 'Blindside', 'We are Marshall' and 'Remember the Titans' are based on true stories that have made changes to the lives of others. 'Pay it Forward', though it is not true, is a great way the a small boy at school managed to change the lives of many. If we all tried to help others in some way, we could certainly make a big difference in this world.

Today you have a choice of assignments:

1. Write about someone famous who has made a postive change in the world. It could be through their music, deeds or another way. There are things like BandAid, LiveAid, stars who give and telethons. Write what they did, how they did it and what the outcome of what they did was.

2. Write about if you could make a change in the world what would you do, why would you do it and what change are you hoping to make.

For both assignments you must write at least 150 - 200 words. You are welcome to use the internet for research but your write up must be in your own words. Please remember to edit your work.

Happy writing!