Monday, July 8, 2013

Bravery, Micro and Macro

Today in the Wall Street Journal, there was an editorial about a brave Russian gentleman, Alexei Navalny, a lawyer and anti-corruption blogger, who is defending himself in a show trial in Kirov, Russia. He is being tried on trumped up charges of embezzlement.  But he is an leading opponent of Russian President, Vladimir Putin, who has adopted draconian new laws to put down protest movements and stifle dissent.  Quoting from the article and Mr. Navalny's comments, "Not one of us has the right to shirk from doing what's necessary to make our world better.  Each time someone thinks, 'Why don't I just step aside and simply everything will happen without me and I'll wait?'" There is more to this quote which you can look up in the Wall Street Journal.  He does not mince words.

Reading the article made me consider bravery in all its forms.  I have never been tested in my lifetime in "Macro Bravery,"  that is public stands that are dangerous or unpopular.  We all have experienced micro bravery, that personal fortitude in our lives when we face illness, our own or our families, making decisions in our relationships, taking physical chances, and all those micro stands that are known only to our family and friends and some outsiders. But to go against a regime which means prison, banishment, or death takes a fortitude that not everyone has.

We have been reading in the paper of Nelson Mandela's imminent death which gives some who really do not know much about his bravery and life, a chance to learn more.  Mr. Mandela went to prison for 27 years for going against the South African political regime at the time, sometimes using violence.  He spoke against Apartheid and other injustices and was given a long prison term.  But when the politics of South Africa changed, he was released and instead of being bitter and seeking asylum elsewhere, he stayed and became president and helped South Africa change to a better form of government.

There are many examples throughout history of brave men and women who took a stand against evil and oppression at the risk of their own lives, in many case their families lives as well.

Here in the United States we have the freedom to dissent, not that there might not be a few ramifications depending on what is said or posted, IRS audits, not-withstanding.

Just a few thoughts, a week after July 4th.

10 comments:

  1. I hope that God never decides to test my macro bravery because I suspect it will be no where as straight-forward for me as the brave decisions we choose to make on a personal level.

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    1. I think the bravery we show on personal levels is important and is to be admired because we serve as examples to our families and friends. Very few of us who live in what I call "calm" countries are tested on a macro level, myself included, although my father who was a "White Russian" who fled the Russian Revolution could tell us a few stories, although he never shared that period of his life.

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  2. i think of nelson mandela very often--it is amazing how his spirit survived---wonderful post!

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    1. And now his family is wrangling over where to bury him, very sad. It's all about money.

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  3. I agree, there are so many brave men and women who stand up everyday for the benefit of others. I too pray for the courage to always stand up for what I believe in and be an example for others to follow. Blessings for the week! Looking forward to seeing your creative journal:)

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  4. Thank you, Amanda. You are such a terrific creative example!

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  5. Great thoughts, thank you for sharing. Many example of brave men and women, indeed. I just returned from DC where I was reminded of everything George Washington did for this country. If anything, makes me want to be/do better.

    Silvia @ Silvia Writes

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    1. Thanks for writing, Silvia. Sometimes it's easier to get inspired by heroes of the past than the present. The current news is so focused on negative issues, not that there is not sad and terrible news happening all over the world.

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  6. Hi Tasha .. oh dear not another brave man or woman in Russia -

    I do so admire people who stand up against repression .. and feel desperate for Mandela - he really should be allowed to go out in peace, after all he's been through ... his warring family are absolutely no help.

    Thanks for telling us about Alexei Navalny ... Putin is a control freak and that's minor criticism for what is much worse ..

    Bravery is a beast that one doesn't understand until we are faced with it - micro I can probably manage .. macro - I'd have difficulty .. with thoughts -Hilary

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    1. Hi Hilary: I am at a loss at what to write today. Just read about all those children in India who died of some kind of poisoning in their school meals. Always enjoy reading your wise words, however.

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