COURAGE

Like the majority of people, we choose to ignore the fact that we live in a culture where there is no gray area between right and wrong. We rationalize unethical behavior by saying, "This wrong doesn't affect my household or my life"; yet, is this due to a lack of bravery or confusion about how to bring about change?

Community members in the film The Help thought segregation and restrictions were necessary because there was nothing wrong with the people. Some people avoided looking in that direction out of fear of social exclusion. The victims stayed silent and did as they were told out of fear, even though they were treated unfairly and not treated as equals.

It required bravery to put fear aside and make things right. God wants us to be strong advocates for right and not afraid to call out the wrong. As long as we keep quiet when we see wrongdoing in our families and communities the cycle will go on. If we want to see change, we have to start at home. We inculcate moral principles. When we instill a sense of right and wrong and the virtues of bravery in our loved ones, whether that's our parents, grandparents, nieces, nephews, cousins, or children—we empower them to combat prejudice and oppression in our/their communities.

It is no longer acceptable to attend church, engage in worship, and subsequently remain inactive. It is no longer appropriate to send vacuous texts or emails citing scriptures and merely wishing blessings onto one another. Think about it, what are we really doing? I would say, just wasting precious time. The period of selfishness is concluded.

It’s time out for wasting time! It’s time out for accepting the unwarranted treatment of people just because they don’t fit the norm. I’m guilty of looking in another direction, and saying, “oh well they will figure it out”. I’m guilty of sending out an empty text and e-mail quoting scriptures and nothing else. For me no more, I’m tired of these senseless killings and the unjust treatment of people just because they don’t fit the norm. 

We all have sons and daughter that fit the norm as society deems, and others have sons and daughter as society deems don’t fit the norm—it’s our job to protect, educate and train our children to be warriors. Let’s not sit idle and watch our communities being destroyed. We all have a platform (i.e. Social media) and it’s time to use those platforms and not live in fear of what someone may or may not do.

We must not wait for a tragedy to strike our home(s); instead, we should cease gazing in the opposite direction and rather open our eyes. As families, we should brainstorm ways to make a difference in our lives and the lives of those around us. It is beneficial to participate in family reunions; however, it would be infinitely more beneficial if we were to exchange knowledge and become more engaged in our communities.

If past generations didn’t have the courage to step outside of fear, where do you think you would be?

In the movie the (The Help) the mother told her daughter that courage sometimes skips a generation.

Don’t let courage skip this generation.