I was going to be brave but...

A poem by Anand Giridharadas

I appreciate the algorithm because sometimes I hear new voices. And this week on Instagram, I saw a video by Anand Giridharadas and I haven’t been able to shake it.

Bravery is required for our current social and political climate in ways I am not prepared for. I have every reason to cower, put my head down and stay safe. And he names many of the things that my privileged reality tempts me to protect.

Like much of the content that floods our screens, behind every video is a book and every essay a mountain of scholarship that we don’t have the time, energy and resources to dive into. So, I just want focus on one question from this video.

What stops you from being brave?

When you think of joining Rev. William Barber for Moral Mondays in DC or marching against police brutality or gun violence, what stops you?

When you think of putting yourself between ICE and your neighbors, posting a petition you signed, or sending a letter to your representatives, what keeps you from standing up and stepping out?

What is stopping you from being brave? For me, it’s health insurance, being conflict avoidant, and wondering what would happen if somehow I was separated from my wife and kids. Watch the video below, join the chat and let’s talk about how we can be brave together.