"When I wake up in the morning, I want to know that my family, friends and fans know what I'm all about. Thats what should be important." --Robert Randolph musician "The Way I see it #275"
This got me thinking. Do people know what I (or you) stand for? For people to know what you believe you have to show them. For example, when people go around saying that they care for the hungry and sick but wont actually help in anyway. It reminds me of a story my Brit Lit teacher told us last year:
In an alley between two apartment buildings in New York City a woman was being raped. It was summer so everyone had their windows open and everyone at their apartments heard this happening. The woman was screaming for someone to call the police or to help in some way. Not a single person, of the almost 30 people who later said that they were their and heard it, called 911. Not a single one of them went to help. When Interviewed to see why they didn't call 911 every single person said, "I thought that someone else would make the call."
I think that in todays society to many of us, yes my self included, don't take action. We don't stand for what we believe in. We don't SHOW other what we truly believe in. only tell. Someone once said," If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything." and I agree.
I agree that a strong amount of fear has been maintained within ourselves in standing up for what we believe in.
For example:
I stand for gay rights even if I don't actively involve myself in them, and sometimes I'll hear the deragautory term of "faggot" or some form of which being thrown around. Yet, I cannot bring myself to tell that person that they should not be using such a negative word unless it is a friend or acquantaince. It's partly due to my lack of physical large-threatenglyness (butchered term), and also partly due to my fear of being called gay myself even though I'm straight. I understand that that fact is a personal truth and that no one can change it, but public scrutiny sucks and I really don't want to face it. So, instead, I let it pass and occasionally will tell a teacher or adult about it so that the person may face some sort of penalty, but I do not stand up for it in that moment and that always bothers me.
Action is important, but it's hard to do it when you face other's. I believe it's essential for everyone to reach that point that they can honestly and intellectually stand up for what they believe in.
Elliott
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