5 public figures of today who have inspired me
There are historical figures who are inspirational. George Washington’s Continental Army managed to defeat the British so the American colonies can get their independence. He went on to become the first President of the United States, had a capital city and state named after him and getting his face on the one dollar bill. Abraham Lincoln managed to win the Civil War for the United States, kept the Union intact and his Emancipation Proclamation ended chattel slavery. His face is on the five dollar bill and the penny.
The above examples are historical and more specifically American figures. If you count worldwide, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela come to mind. If you think more locally, there are countless public figures who are inspirational and made an impression on so many people’s lives. Not all examples are tainted with controversy. George Washington owned slaves and Abraham Lincoln’s view on black people was not a 100% racist free. Mahatma Gandhi slept with underage girls in his old age as part of his ‘experiment.’ I haven’t read or watched much about Nelson Mandela unfortunately.
Even the celebrities or public figures who are alive today are inspirational yet without flaws. Nevertheless, they have a legacy. People follow them for a reason. They have made a mark on civil society, the world in general. They have put their names in history books.
Here are five public figures of today who have inspired me.
- Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld is no doubt one of my favorite comedians. His standups, his voice, his sheer presence when he has the mike is captivating. His show Seinfeld is my favorite sitcom. Friends and The Office (US) do not come close when it comes to Seinfeld being the funniest.
Jerry Seinfeld’s jokes are classic. His take on everyday things from a cable car being built while New York was under bankruptcy to expensive airport food is funny and memorable. His special Jerry Before Seinfeld really explains how hard was for him to ‘make it big.’ You have to be consistent and persevere through hardships. You sometimes have to live in the tiniest apartments in Manhattan to make it big.
2. Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi is a former cricketer of the Pakistan National Cricket Team. He came as a bowler but achieved his reputation as a hard-hitting batsman thanks to his fastest-century. He went on to become an all-rounder and captain for the team, winning matches for Pakistan in the most difficult circumstances.
The first time I noticed Shahid Afridi was during Pakistan’s 2005 Tour to India. On the fifth One-Day International Match at Kanpur, he hit 102 runs through ten 4’s and nine 6’s. I was blown away by his innings. He got the Man of the Match Award.
Afridi is famous for slogging, getting caught out while trying to hit a six. He has gotten out on a score of 0 many times. However, he is one of Pakistan’s top players. Shahid Afridi reminds you that you have to take shots no matter what to achieve big.
3. Junaid Akram
He is a very specific Pakistani example. Junaid Akram started making YouTube videos through his smartphone in Dubai talking about issues that made no sense with a taste of comedy. He was not living a luxurious life but a struggling one, having been forced to sleep in his car for some days and couldn’t afford roti.
I started watching his videos in 2016 when his social media career started to climb. The man has evolved into an Internet startup, having 20+ people in his realm and producing content from podcasts to mini documentaries to now working for Bangla Tigers. He even has an educational channel.
Junaid Akram’s story tells us that our dream careers are possible. It takes time and consistency.
4. Stephen Colbert
2016 was the year Donald Trump was elected President of the United States. It made not just me but all of America depressed. A man who is mentally and physically unfit to lead the country had become the Leader of the Free World. I blamed the mainstream news outlets for his rise. There was one place I could listen to the news without crying, late night shows.
Stephen Colbert was №1 of that list for me. The way he joked about Trump had a different level of humor to it. His stock had probably risen as a lot of people turned to him to watch him take jabs at the former President. I used to watch his show everyday during breakfast. It got to the point my mom became a fan of him.
I even had the pleasure to watch Stephen Colbert thrice at the Ed Sullivan Theater. In my latest taping, I managed to ask him a question.
5. Imran Khan
There is no doubt Imran Khan is Pakistan’s G.O.A.T. The man was one of Pakistan’s successful bowlers ever produced, one of the most successful captains, winning the 1992 Cricket World Cup when all odds were against Pakistan. He set up a free cancer hospital in Pakistan and went on to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Imran Khan has repeatedly said to never give up. He said that taking an untrodden path requires an individual to face tough times. There will be moments where a person will cry and be upset but the journey is worth it. Never lose, that is his saying.
He is languishing in prison for taking an untrodden path, to challenge the ‘powers-that-be’ of Pakistan. Their attempts are unsuccessful as their reputation is getting tarnished day by day. The corrupt, despite the playing field open, are struggling to gain popularity and support of the country’s masses. Imran Khan is their favorite.
Which public figures inspired you?
Let me know in the comments how you guys feel.
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