I’ve been thinking—what? Don’t act so shocked. I do think every now and then. Thinking about courage. And given today’s the anniversary of 9-11, it only seemed fitting to put my thoughts to paper. Or computer screen, as the case may be.
I cannot imagine (thank God) what it would have been like to be in NYC that morning. I mean sure, I remember every last detail about where I was, how I found out, and what I did that day … but to have been in the city? No, I cannot imagine. But, I can’t help but wonder, what would I have done? Would I have had the courage to rush into a burning building and help others? The courage to call loved ones, and say goodbye if I was trapped on a top floor of the WTC? Would I have had the courage to move?
Sixty-two years ago (and two days), President Eisenhower signed the Civil Rights Act … it was days after the Little Rock Nine were blocked from entering their newly segregated school, and a few years before the Woolworth’s incident … when the Black kids at the “White’s only” lunch counter refused to move. And I wonder … what would I have done if I was there, in North Carolina, on that day. Would I have had the audacity to speak out? Or would I have sat quietly, done my best to ignore the atrocity and the rotting sense of all that’s fair and right in my gut.
Sadly, I’m just not sure.
What is it that gives someone enough gumption to stand up for what they believe in even in the face of monsters? Are people born that way?
May 5, 1981 Bobby Sands passed away after a month long hunger strike in Northern Ireland. He was only 27 years old when he died. I don’t know a whole lot about the IRA nor the conflict that exists between the Catholics and the Protestants and the underlying reasons behind their war, but I do know a thing about passion and I can honestly say that I think passion and courage, often go hand in hand.
So, on this anniversary of 9-11, I ask you this … what makes a human being hate another human being? The shade of their skin? Their choice in religion? Their political views? OR is it simpler than that? Could it possibly be because humans, while we have a deep propensity to love, we also harbor an enormous predisposition to hate. And the means in which some people choose to hate is nothing more than vileness.
Yes, I know … this trip down the serious road is a bit off kilter for me. No sarcasm, no lightheartedness. But there’re some things in life where the insertion of sarcasm just isn’t acceptable. And when it comes to the pursuit of justice or standing true to one’s convictions, well, there is no room for flippancy.
On February 1, 1960, at the Woolworth’s Five & Dime in Greensboro, North Carolina, four college freshmen sat at the store’s “whites-only” lunch counter. They ordered coffee. They were ignored. They returned the next day with 19 supporters; the third day, with 85; by weeks end, there were 400. Smaller sit-ins in seven other North Carolina cities and neighboring states took place. By summer, 33 southern cities, including Greensboro, had integrated their restaurants and lunch counters. One year later, 126 cities had taken the same step. SOURCE: National Park Service.com
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DISCLAIMER: I’m a writer and an editor. And I try my best to make sure every post is articulate and free from errors. However, being that I edit my own work—and it’s next to impossible to properly edit your own work—I admit, occasionally there may be an error or two I miss. But doing so doesn’t make me an idiot so don’t be mean. Just smile, pat yourself on the back for finding an error and be glad you’re not the only one who makes mistakes sometimes … xoxox
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