Thought for the day: Bravery.
What images comes to mind when you think about bravery? This:
Presentation of Joint Colors (source: Wikipedia)
How about this unforgettable image?
Gandhi Salt March on March 12, 1930 (source: Wikipedia)
Or how about this historic event happening in Egypt right now?
Considering that we’re about to celebrate the American Independence Day, maybe we need to define what exactly we consider bravery to be. We’re used to heroes being bigger than life figures who fight the good fight against the heinous enemies. Heroes = GOOD. Enemies = BAD. But lately, the image of good and bad are being turned on their heads in very significant ways simply because heroes and enemies can no longer be easily depicted.
Our news tries to get us to rally at parades and public gatherings with little thought on dissecting where we’re at TODAY. Our actions of yesteryear cannot continue to control our ideas for tomorrow. Especially when so many people are suffering right now because of the selfish actions from those who are supposed to be our heroes. It’s clear that we continue to operate on an antiquated idea that bravery is all about machismo and fortitude. It needs to be about more than a depiction that’s straight out of a Hollywood script.
We forget that there are a lot of brave souls who are never recognized for their heroic and selfless efforts, because they choose to stay in the shadows. There have been many stories of people who wish to stand up for the greater good, sometimes at great risk to themselves. If we refuse to look at the long term consequences of their actions because they impact the norm that we consider acceptable, then we’re missing the new, better definition for bravery. One that doesn’t tout the individual action, but proudly discusses the positive opportunities that come from those who selflessly give so that we all have a better life.
So when we think about the 4th of July this year, we should really consider just what we are proud of. Nationalism, ideology, beliefs can be very powerful reasons for our actions and thoughts. But when they only benefit the few at the expense of…well, everyone else, then we are celebrating the wrong image of bravery. All brave actions should be respected and remembered. There are so few good, brave people left for us to look up to. We need more, especially in the form of those who choose to be leaders. If your beliefs are selfish and one-dimensional, then please, don’t apply to the position. We already have too many of you to remove from the crumbling pedestals that you place yourselves on.
