The year is 1989. A...
Illustration
Object:
The year is 1989. A single man, a Chinese student, is standing on a Beijing street, holding
in his hand what appears to be a shopping bag. The man is standing ramrod-straight, his
back to the camera, like a soldier at attention. Stretching out before him is a whole
column of tanks, stopped dead in their tracks. The man is putting his very life on the line
for freedom -- and, for now at least, he appears to be winning!
In a few short weeks, Chinese troop transports will rumble into Tiananmen Square, and perpetrate a terrible massacre. The stones of Tiananmen Square will be stained red with blood. On that day, the world will look on in horror. But, for now, for a few brief moments, one man of principle seems able to hold all the forces of injustice at bay.
It doesn't often turn out that way, in real life -- which is why that photograph packs such tremendous power. So often, people of principle feel helpless against the vast, creeping evil of this world. Yet, the truth is, we can accomplish a great deal, if we only have courage.
In a few short weeks, Chinese troop transports will rumble into Tiananmen Square, and perpetrate a terrible massacre. The stones of Tiananmen Square will be stained red with blood. On that day, the world will look on in horror. But, for now, for a few brief moments, one man of principle seems able to hold all the forces of injustice at bay.
It doesn't often turn out that way, in real life -- which is why that photograph packs such tremendous power. So often, people of principle feel helpless against the vast, creeping evil of this world. Yet, the truth is, we can accomplish a great deal, if we only have courage.
