Moral Courage

The definition of "moral courage" is: the ability to take action and show integrity in the face of personal harm, danger, for a greater cause despite the risk of adverse consequences. Numerous individuals in the history of our world have proven that they hold this worthy trait in abundance. Each blog post will highlight a different person in our history that has displayed "moral courage" in some way, shape or form that proved significant.

Oskar Schindler

In the 1940s, while Jewish people in Nazi Germany were being executed by the thousands, one man did his part in helping these people in need. What started off as a business move to acquire cheaper labor, later became a way that Mr. Schindler shielded roughly Jews who were facing death in these tense times of racial discrimination. While many have debated whether Oskar Schindler is truly a hero or one who is of "moral courage", I believe there is no question that his tactics were only for business purposes. I acknowledge that he may have started his factory as a way for financial gain, but his decision to keep people who could do no work, and the deep admiration that actual Jews who were on his list have shown since then shows he was not purely motivated by money.

Paul Rusesabagina

Paul Rusesabagina is a Rwandan man who has been critically acclaimed for saving 1,268 refugees during the Rwandan Genocide. He was the assistant manager of the Sabena Hôtel des Mille Collines before he became the manager of the Hôtel des Diplomates, both in Kigali, Rwanda. During the 1994 Rwandan genocide, Rusesabagina used his influence and connections as temporary manager of the 'Mille Collines' to shelter 1,268 Tutsis and moderate Hutus from being slaughtered by the Interahamwe militia. This was an extreme display of selflessness on his part due to the danger he put himself by sheltering Tutsis who were being hunted and killed.

Alice Paul

Alice Paul is one of the best examples of true moral courage in our society. In 1916 when her and her fellow cohorts were unhappy with the little action being taken toward woman's voting rights, she assisted in creating her own group with an initiative to do just that. In an example of non-violent ciivil disobedience, Alice Paul and her fellow followers began protesting outside of the White House for their right to vote, and were subsequently arrested at a later date. In pursuit of a right for all women, her and the rest of her party had to undergo severe mistreatment in prison to prove they were willing to fight for what they believed in. Soon after the media attention they were able to gain with their arrest, the current president Woodrow Wilson began to add support to their campaign, and two years later woman's voting rights were secured by law.

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali was willing to risk his career because he opposed the war in Vietnam on religious grounds. Soon after becoming heavyweight champion, Ali decided to change his religion and joined the Nation of Islam (Black Muslims), taking the Muslim name "Muhammad Ali." The Vietnam War then interrupted Ali's career. In 1967, he was inducted into the military, but he refused to serve, saying his religious beliefs forbade him to fight. While some Americans praised Ali for risking prison to stand up for his beliefs, others called him a draft dodger and traitor. The government charged him with violating the Selective Service Act; his titles were taken from him; and he was not allowed to box until he was found not guilty of draft evasion some years later. His large display of moral courage in regards to standing up for his beliefs should be recognized by all.

Gandhi

Mohandas Gandhi was born in western India in 1869. After studying law in England he became increasingly interested in the philosophies of non-violence. He became actively involved in initiatives to end discrimination against the Indian minorities who resided in South Africa. He gained acclaim for his use of non-violence in protests against the white governments of South AFrica despite the punishment and abuse that he and his followers were facing. He was unjustly imprisoned for two years after he organized large scale non-violence campaigns that put a hold on the South Africa's administration. He was eventually assassinated by a Hindu nationalist, but his undeniable display of moral courage in his lifetime will undoubtedly live on forever.