The image is a famous one. The image of 'Tiananmen Square' that comes to mind for most people is usually just one: the image of one man standing boldly in front of a line of tanks. Who was he? What was his fate? Was there a point in what he did?
There is a strong notion that there is strength in numbers. The idea that unified, people can conquer. Someone recently asked me, "what difference did that one guy make? what exactly did he do?"
Google images tells us half of the answer.
The image is typical in the results of American google. In China, however, the image is blocked. The image must be significant somehow. What did this unnamed rebel give us other than just a memorable photograph? Is its symbolism just that - symbolism?
As much as I want to, I can't come up with the answer. Certainly this man's actions didn't make a huge difference in the events to unfold. The protest is widely known as a massacre and the man himself is believed to have been executed.
I'm not saying that one person by themselves never made a difference. However, many people seem put off by the idea. If the image inspires a group of people to act as one, then I think it is strong. I think this one does just that.
Somehow, people do think "one vote doesn't make a difference," which seems to be common in this election season. The same goes for "Why would I waste my vote by voting for a 3rd party?"
On the one hand, if everyone thinks that their vote won't matter, you get a significant number of people not voting. Each one of you adds up. On the other hand, people who believe that voting for 3rd parties wastes votes are the ones who are causing them to make so little a difference. If people didn't all think that way, a third party might possibly make a difference. America has shown us before that a two-party system isn't all that can exist (even if it is easiest).
So what does this have to do with tank man? I'm not exactly sure, but what he stood up for (figuratively and literally) might not be the most important thing. In this regard, the friend who asked me may have been right. By himself, there was realistically very little impact as result of his action. The idea behind his image is what makes him so influential. The idea that he was courageous, rebellious, crazy is what makes the drive seem worth it, even if by himself he could have no impact. The fact that he might possibly inspire individuals to act and thusly (even if unknowingly) become one is what I think makes his image so powerful.
