NPR: Do You Know Someone Who Exemplifies Triumph?

Do You Know Someone Who Exemplifies Triumph?

Farai Chideya Today, you got to hear our conversation with Denzel Washington, who directed the new Golden Globe-nominated film The Great Debaters. He plays a real person, Mel Tolson, who led the Wiley College debate team to victory over a prominent white college in the 1930s.

It was a groundbreaking moment in race relations. And Tolson also put himself at great risk doing labor organizing of sharecroppers, both black and white.

Tolson, who's now passed, is a perfect example of the kind of people we're looking for for January's special series: Triumph. So, in a different way, has Denzel Washington -- who's triumphed by pushing against the countervailing winds sweeping over the Hollywood Hills that push many black actors into obscurity rather than success.

So, what do we mean by Triumph?

Who has transcended the circumstances of their birth or childhood?

Who has put themselves at great risk to succeed?

How did someone overcome a setback to re-dedicate themselves to their dream?

How does this person's success inspire others; or how does their work lift up communities?

We want your input -- your nominations for people who exemplify Triumph. We're talking about transcendent success in any field -- from finance to education -- or a personal story of surmounting adversity.

Is there a family member or local hero who comes to mind, or a national figure whose story you've always wanted to hear?

We want to know.

Let us know on our blog, and we'll be sure and take some of these stories and put them on our air.

And, of course, the happiest of holidays!

Farai Chideya

Tags: Denzel Washington | NPR

2:06 PM ET | 12-21-2007 | permalink

comments | | e-mail

Comments

View all comments »

Add a Comment

Please note that all comments must adhere to the NPR.org discussion rules and terms of use. See also the Community FAQ.

Only one person truly represents Triumph!
Doctor Ron Paul.
He's had death threats,
He's been ignored,
He's been attacked,
His fellow Congresspersons call him derisively "Dr. No". :) -since he refuses to compromise his beliefs or cooperate on fleecing the American Public.
The right wingers call him "Fringe" -because they're afraid of him.
And Libs are shocked that a 'Conservative' is so Classically Liberal!
Yet he keeps on fighting for the American People.
I've never seen such courage, and in the guise of such a sweet man!
God Bless the triumphant Dr. Ron Paul! :)

Sent by Dennis MacGregor | 8:29 PM ET | 12-21-2007

I know someone who truly represents triumph! I am that someone, Marcus Jones. My dad left me when I was six years of age. I grew up in a dysfunctional family. With the prayers of my grandmother, grandfather, and mother I graduated from High School, but during that time I encountered the street life like so many inner city teenagers do. There after I was back and forth in the judicial system. When one day I got shot four times, from getting shot four times I went to the Hospital where the doctor told me I would never be able to walk again, from the hospital I went to the Cook County Jail, from the Cook County Jail I went to the penitentiary. I had little to no physical rehabilitation with the majority of my physical rehabilitation coming from inmates. I spent the next four and a half years learning myself and learning what we all call Life. Not long after I got out of the penitentiary I enrolled in a City College where I learned what direction in my life I wanted to go. For the next several years I worked on my book (autobiography) "Everyone has a story -- This is mine". I've done and still doing a lot of ground work on my own. Which now I'm in four local book stores, I did a speaking engagement for Olive-Harvey City College, Book signing at Truman City College and at the Thompson Center downtown Chicago. A live speaking on The Louie Jones Talk radio 1470 AM WCFJ. Designed my own web site, and sold over 200 hundred books in my community and throughout the city of Chicago amongst other cities including New York and Salem, Massachusetts. I believe that everything happens for a reason. I have learned many things in my life before my injury -- but not like I have after my injury and my age is a constant reminder of where I want to be in my life. I wrote a book about my life because I know it will change someone else's life for the better. I'm currently working on my second book my plan is to establish myself as a great author like so many before me.

Author Marcus Jones
www.marcussuccess.com

Sent by marcus jones | 11:39 AM ET | 01-04-2008

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

E-mail |
Print

OUR SOCIAL NETWORKS

About 'News & Views'

News & Views is the companion blog of NPR's news magazine show, News & Notes. It extends News & Notes' ongoing conversation about the diversity of the African-American experience. For more information, read our Frequently Asked Questions guide and our Discussion Rules.