What does it mean to be brave?
It’s supposed to be a compliment and an honour, but the more I think about it, the more I’m not sure about that idea of bravery.
Here’s the issue: calling someone, or some action, brave is a way of saying that they are exceptional, but “exceptional” is a synonym of “abnormal,” and calling bravery abnormal is just another way of saying that it is something done by other people.
I am not saying it is wrong to celebrate acts of bravery, but maybe we should all take a look at where we might be using those celebrations of others’ bravery as an excuse to not get involved.
It should not take bravery stand up for human rights or call out established institutions when they are in the wrong. Decency and respect should be the standard, not the exception.
My Take: By Gordon Lambie
