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Think about it: At this moment, there are thousands – no, millions – of people working tirelessly to make the world a better place. Young people are working endlessly in low-paying nonprofit jobs because they believe so strongly in their organization’s mission. Recent college graduates join the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps in order to humbly offer whatever support they can to impoverished communities. Aid workers are working on the ground in dangerous conflict zones and poor areas, living in harsh conditions, simply to deliver humanitarian relief.
As we’ve seen recently, journalists – like Roxana Saberi, Euna Lee, and Laura Ling – but, also thousands of nameless ones – are risking their lives to provide us with the truth about the world’s injustices. Public defenders, in America and in the rest of the world, are paid little and have to do some of the hardest work out there – defending the accused, who are often guilty – in order to uphold the ideals of a fair legal system for all. Social entrepreneurs routinely quit their jobs to start social businesses that give back to the community, to the world – and most often do not make a profit. And the list goes on: volunteers, social workers, psychologists, public health doctors, and countless more.
Some of these people are famous, but the vast majority of the people doing some of the most grueling, dangerous work out there are not. They’re not doing it for the recognition. Most of them don’t own their own domains and blogs, and don’t try to “brand” themselves like we do. Instead, they remain anonymous. While I’m sitting in my comfortable room in Europe, enjoying pasta and bread, these brave people are living in difficult conditions and putting themselves in danger to fight for what they believe in. I know I am immensely lucky to have what I have, but I think I lack something that these people have: courage. I talk so much about international issues on my own blog, but I haven’t actually gone and volunteered in a conflict zone, nor have I ever experienced living in conditions of poverty. I’m not sure I’d ever have the strength to become an aid worker in Darfur, or a Peace Corps volunteer in a remote village. I’d like to think I’m up for all these challenges, but I still think it takes a special type of person to dedicate their lives to such work.
So, I want to send out my admiration and appreciation to all those out there who are working for the public good, to all the people who are serving others without the need for fame or fortune. I think some of these ‘nameless’ heroes that we haven’t heard of are probably also some of the most passionate, dedicated, and kind. I think they deserve all the appreciation they can get, and it’s time we said thanks to them for helping make our world a better place!

Appreciative Revolutionary: Akhila Kolisetty
Bio: Akhila is an undergraduate Economics and Political Science major at Northwestern University. She loves politics, international human rights, social media, the Internet, and writing of all sorts (especially blogging and poetry). Drop her a line over at her blog, Justice for All.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip
I appreciate Akhila’s social conscience and passion for human rights, and the recognition she gives to deserving people and causes through her Feature Friday series!