While travelling to Pretoria for work in June 1893, Mahatma Gandhi was forcibly ejected from a first-class compartment of a train, despite having a ticket for his seat. This moment of injustice inspired him to take on segregation in South Africa and eventually, led to his campaign of civil disobedience against the British in colonial India.
In 1945, despite orders from his superior officers, the US army medic Desmond Doss decided not to carry a weapon into battle due to his religious beliefs. During the Battle of Okinawa he single handedly saved the lives of 75 soldiers, lowering them down a cliff, one by one, using a rope. Doctors, nurses and other workers continued to work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, undeterred by the potential risks to their physical and mental health. All had the ambition of helping others and society, despite fears of catching the virus.
In these examples, individuals have overcome fears and vulnerabilities to voluntarily place themselves in positions of danger. Despite these risks they all chose to act. All of the examples have demonstrated courage, which is, the ability to do something dangerous, or to face pain or opposition, without showing fear. Unlike the examples, however, courage is not always about large or bold acts. In reality, it exists in everyday life on a much smaller scale and yet still has the capacity to create immense impact.
In a school environment, courage could even be offering an answer or opinion in the classroom. By speaking up, despite fear of judgement or answering incorrectly, you’ll build confidence and take a step towards overcoming fears and self-doubts. Joining a new club, society or sport may also entail an equal amount of bravery if it’s something you have never considered before. Taking a risk and facing a challenge valiantly will undoubtedly lead to your personal growth, whether it be academic or encouraging you to shift mindsets.
Courage can also mean standing up for someone, even if they aren’t one of your friends, to help support them and advocate for what’s right, rather than what is easy or more convenient to you in the moment. The small act of calling someone out for mistreating an individual or being, in the words of musician Bill Withers, “Somebody to lean on”, can have a longstanding and powerful impact, not only on the person you helped, but also on our school community at large. Going against a crowd and voluntarily putting yourself in an uncomfortable position requires courage and valour, but is more than worth it.
Ultimately, courage is less about acting without fear and more about acting in the face of adversity. Even a small and seemingly insignificant act can have far-reaching influence. To end on a final quote by Muhammad Ali, “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”
Alex Kay
Lower Sixth Form student