In 2020, Time magazine contributed to top 100 most influential people in the world a record number of medical professionals and scientists; and the largest number of women ever.
Time's collection includes campaigners for the rights of sexual minorities and women, eco-activists, and world leaders such as Xi Jinping from China, Donald Trump from the United States and Angela Merkel from Germany.
But Vladimir Putin did not join them this year. Only one representative of Russia is mentioned in Time's materials - Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, who heads the Pussy Riot group. However, she only introduced the female music group Lastesis, whose work focuses on feminism and women's rights.
Category "Titans"
3. Sundar Pichai
CEO of Google Inc. and parent company Alphabet joined the corporation in 2004 and used his talents to climb the corporate ladder to the very top in 2019.
It was Pichai who oversaw many of Google's most successful products, such as Android, Drive, Gmail, and Maps. And in 2009, it presented to the general public Chrome OS and Chromebook, which were then released.
2. Dwyane Wade
The second "Titan" among the most influential people in the world was named the attacking defender of the NBA club "Miami Heat" by Time.
By supporting his transgender daughter, Wade has set "a powerful example for parents and the community of how to be good allies for young people trying to figure out who they are."
1. Gabrielle Union
The ex-model and current actress has starred in Deliver Us From Eve, Bad Boys 2 and Encyclopedia of Divorce, as well as Being Mary Jane. In addition to her main work, Gabrielle is also an activist for the protection of victims of sexual violence. Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement, says about Union:
- It doesn't just "influence"; she deliberately devotes her attention, influence and resources to promoting a program that deliberately glorifies the most marginalized among us, including black women and girls, homosexuals and transgender people.
Category "Artists"
3. Michael B. Jordan
The dark-skinned representative of the new generation of American actors became famous for his roles in Fruitvale Station, Creed: Rocky's Legacy, Creed 2 and Black Panther.
In 2021, the new animated series What If ...? Is due out, where Jordan will voice Eric Killmonger. It will be interesting to watch the series even for those who are not a fan of Jordan, since each of the episodes will show what could have happened if the events of the Marvel Cinematic Universe had gone a different way.
2. Ali Wong
This American actress and comedian defies all stereotypes. She speaks openly about her sexuality, boldly discusses her body and its many functions.
“She assures women: you can be loud, you can be funny, you can be stupid, you can laugh at yourself, you can be rude, and you can talk about what birth is and you don’t have to do it decently. She does it well so that we can be ourselves, ”writes about Ali Chrissy Teigen.
1. Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
This singer from Canada is known to fans under the pseudonym The Weeknd. His songs "The Hills", "Can't Feel My Face" and "Earned It" were able to hold the top of the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, something that no artist had before Tesfaye.
In addition, The Weeknd has won two Grammy Awards and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Category "Pioneers"
3. Ibram H. Candy
The third pioneer in the 2020 Top 100 Most Influential People is a black anti-racist fighter and head of the Center for Anti-Racism Research at Boston University.
According to Candy, anti-racism education should be taught from childhood, so he published the book "Anti-racist Child", intended for preschool children. She entered the compulsory program of American schools.
2. Yiannis Adetokounbo
The Greek basketball player of Nigerian descent is in his prime at only 25 years old. He plays for the Milwaukee Bucks as a heavy forward and has earned a number of titles already, including:
- Best NBA Defense Player of 2020.
- Most Valuable NBA Player in 2019 and 2020.
- Most Progressing NBA Player in 2017.
“To watch him play means to see not only what is, but also what is possible. There is a mystical quality that revives the heart of a fan when they see that person walking onto the court. A real sports hero makes our bones vibrate, and our flesh trembles in anticipation of greatness, ”wrote Karim Abdul-Jabbar about this athlete.
1. Megan Jovon Ruth Peet
The 25-year-old singer, known as Megan Thee Stallion, quickly became one of the most influential figures in rap music. In 2020, her single "Savage" became a hit on TikTok and peaked at # 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Actress Taraji Henson said of Meghan: "Once you discover her, you become a fan of her ... the industry may try to put her in a rap game, but her plans are much bigger."
Category "Leaders"
3. Joe Biden
As a reminder, on November 3, 2020 US presidential election, and the main battle is between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic hope Joe Biden.
“Joe Biden is honest, compassionate and sympathetic, but above all he is a civil servant,” writes Jim Cliburn, a Democratic congressman. Well, we'll soon find out if Biden gets the chance to demonstrate compassion and honesty as President of the United States.
2. President Donald Trump
It would be strange if the head of the United States was not included in the list of the most influential people of 2020 according to Time. But at the same time, the 45th US President, with his "norm-breaking presidency", is spoken of in more harsh terms than other leaders.
Brian Bennett, Time's senior White House correspondent, writes that Trump "can bend the government, often (by doing so) in his own personal political interest."
1. Dr. Anthony Fauci
A leading US expert on infectious diseases topped the Leaders category and earned accolades from renowned TV host Jimmy Kimmel for refusing to "succumb to political pressure."
He was also described as a man who proclaimed the truth, "no matter how difficult it was to hear it, sincerely and with one goal: to save lives."
Fauci is part of a task force created by President Donald Trump to fight the epidemic, and focuses on the availability and scale of coronavirus testing.
Category "Icons"
3. Adi Barkan
For many Americans, healthcare costs have become prohibitive, especially during the Covid 19 pandemic. And activist Adi Barkan, deprived of the ability to move and even speak, is fighting for social justice and Medicare (health insurance) for all citizens of the country.
2. Founders of Black Lives Matter
Three black women - Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi and Patrice Kallors - founded the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the murder of Trayvon Martin in 2012. During his presidency, Barack Obama expressed support for the BLM movement and has repeatedly invited its activists to the White House.
However, the assassination of George Floyd this summer and the events that followed took the Black Lives Matter movement to a new level. BLM activists have repeatedly clashed with the police, organized protests and riots. All this is done in order to allegedly unjust superiority of the "white race" in the United States.
1. Emmy O'Sullivan
The Brooklyn Nurse is # 1 on Time's 2020 Icon category, representing “an army of medical professionals ... who risked everything to serve others,” wrote journalist Katie Couric.
In early March of this year, O'Sullivan treated New York's first COVID-19 patient. Contacting the patient, the nurse herself became ill, she had to spend four days on artificial ventilation.
Thank God, at least the Leaders are white!