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Tank Man, a Chinese citizen, attempted to block tanks from entering Tiananmen Square during the 1989 protests. Despite being unsuccessful, his act of bravery made him an iconic symbol of China’s democracy movement. Tank Man’s identity and fate remain unknown, but his image serves as a reminder that every citizen has a duty to stand up for what they believe is right.
During the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, a Chinese citizen stopped in front of a line of approaching tanks in an attempt to block them from entering the square. Though ultimately unsuccessful, his image of him was broadcast around the world in video and film footage, and he became known as “Tank Man,” or The Unknown Rebel, in reference to his incredible act of bravery. Tank Man has become an iconic symbol of China’s democracy movement and his image is familiar to many people around the world.
The Tiananmen Square protests were staged by thousands of Chinese students and activists who wanted to see a change in the way their nation was run. They are accompanied by similar protests and marches across China and have quickly become a topic of international interest. Eventually, the Chinese government put down the rebellion extremely violently, with the help of soldiers and tanks. Thousands have been wounded and killed by Chinese soldiers despite the efforts of people who have tried to oppose them.
To examine the Unknown Rebel, it helps to see it in context. Many people have suggested that he may have been a provincial Chinese visiting Beijing on business or to visit family, not a protester. Video footage suggests that he was simply walking along one of the streets leading to Tiananmen Square on June 5, 1989, when he saw a line of tanks approaching the area and decided to do something about it. The subsequent Tiananmen Square events were widely condemned by the international community, and Tank Man became an emblem of those events.
Tank Man has become an iconic figure for a variety of reasons. The first is related to his ordinariness. Tank Man is dressed simply and in all images of him he is carrying a shopping bag. It clearly illustrates that any citizen can be brave enough to stand up to injustice by being so insignificant. He was also incredibly audacious, at one point climbing into the lead tank and having a heated exchange with the driver before members of the crowd pulled him out to hide from punishment.
The image of Tank Man is also universal and needs no words to understand. One of the most famous images of the man was taken by Stuart Franklin and eventually won a World Press Award. Another well-known image was taken by Associated Press photographer Jeff Widener from the window of a nearby hotel. Many activists and idealists see the potential for a small action to make a big difference when they look at a photo of Tank Man. The image suggests that every single member of society has a duty and obligation to stand up for what they believe is right .
Tank Man’s fate is unknown, as is his true identity. Several people have speculated on possible identities for the unknown Rebel, but none of these identifications have been confirmed. The man may have survived the events in Tiananmen Square, or he may have been arrested and executed. His anonymity only adds to the mystique in many people’s opinion.
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