[April 24, 2018] While many folks believe physical courage to be the pinnacle of great individual character, it is actually moral courage that separates the beasts from the civilized. Candace Owens is bringing a message of empowerment to the black community.1
Recently, I was made aware of this young lady who deviated from the PC reservation to express her opinions and was denigrated for it. She makes use of a theme from the movie The Matrix (1999) where she urges people to “take the red pill” and become politically conservative like her.
If you’ve not seen the movie, go here (YouTube video, 2:40 minutes) to see what this means. The reference by Candace Owens is very appropriate and it drives some people crazy that she would use it. The Matrix was the impetus to popular culture where there is a choice, the red pill or the blue pill. The choice is between blissful ignorance (the blue pill) or the painful truth of reality (the red pill).
Ms. Owens advocates that people take the red pill. She works for Turning Point USA, is a 501(c)3 non-profit that has a mission to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government.2
She’s refreshing, funny, impressive, and tells the truth. People don’t like what she has to say and have attacked her repeatedly on social media and in the press because they see her as deviating from the political left. Because she is a young black woman, this cannot be tolerated by those who chose an extremist ideology.
“If you are a black person and you think conservatively, then you are instantly considered a traitor, an uncle tom, a coon; they [liberals] don’t want to hear anything you have to say.” – Candace Owens
She is under a lot of pressure. Most people would fold and change their stance because they don’t want to deal with controversy. This is a strong woman who shows more courage than the majority of people I know.
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It is always good to show people others with moral courage. We lead by example. We learn by example. We are who we are because we are willing to learn.
Moral courage is something that is either all the time or not at all. Looks like this lady has it all.
Yes, go for it Mr. Bryce.
Thank you Eddie and all the others who are encouraging me to write for https://www.theleadermaker.com. I’m honored and Mr. Satterfield has been in contact with me.
I put my two cents on the table too.
“Moral courage is higher and a rarer virtue than physical courage.” – William Slim, Field Marshall, Australian Army
Growing up in a big city, there was never anyone like this around. At least I didn’t know if they were there. How much of a difference it would have made in my life to have a role model that stood up for the right thing.
You can find people like Candace Owens just about anywhere. They usually stand out in the crowd. They are the “go to” person in any organization. They are the one you seek out to get advice or a mentorship with. They are the “rock in the stream” that stands firm when others run. They are the ones you should keep as a friend, for they will always be by your side.
Moral courage is hard. They don’t call it ‘courage’ for anything. I’m happy that our military leaders understand and encourage it. http://www.anglican.ink/article/moral-courage-essential-leaders-says-army-chief
I think it has become obvious that there is a leftist ideology in this country that is willing to use violence and any other means to destroy those who do not agree with them. They are the brown shirts of America. There is little difference between their socialism today and the socialism of Nazi Germany or Stalin’s USSR.
Everyone who understands what moral courage is about should support a brave person like Candace Owens. She is truly a strong lady (and I do mean LADY).
Billy, I think you hit the nail on the head (so to speak). After reviewing some of the videos of her (I found them on YouTube), it starts to paint a better picture of her philosophy and frankly, I’m impressed.
I agree.
I concur that Candace Owens is a remarkable person. The fact that she is African-American and can withstand the stones and arrows of racist liberals is truly amazing.
Who is not amazed at the immaturity of so many young people today! Candace Owens gives me hope that there those out there who are truly worthy of their rights as a US citizen.
I had never heard of Candance Owens before, so thank you for highlighting her moral courage for us. I too find that moral courage is difficult … for whatever reason. But those who consciously chose to abdicate their responsibility as a good citizen to the Political Correctness of our age are cowards in the most evil way.
“Take the red pill.” I love it. Done with style and grace. This Candace Owens is my hero of the day.
for me too !
This is a strong woman. Candance Owens is to be commended.
Good comments today. Thank you Brig Gen Satterfield for a pointed and much needed reminder of the necessity of moral courage for a smoothly functioning society.
Too few folks make this connection and so thank you Gen. Satterfield for this timely article today. I agree that too many people tell us (not in so many words) that moral courage is not necessary. What they say is, “don’t confront (fill in the blank), get a lawyer.” I might not be clear but what I’m trying to say is that the message in popular culture is to never judge others and thus there is no need to have moral courage. So if you friend steals money from the local store, don’t judge him, just look the other way!
Very perceptive Janna.
Yes, very perceptive Janna. I am most impressed when I see young folks talk to others politely but firmly, making their position clear. That takes moral courage to do it with style.
I see politicians and media experts telling us that courage is not required any longer. Just rely on the government to intervene for you. That is the solutions always mentioned. They say its your “right” to have the government protect you. Unfortunately, they don’t say you give up your freedom and dignity in the process.
I will add to the argument that moral courage is more difficult because you will find those situations not just more frequently but in graduated levels of difficulty. Some are easy (tell your coworker to stop stealing money from the soda machine) and some are difficult (tell your authoritative boss to stop stealing money from the business you work at). This lady Candace Owens is to be commended for her courage under fire from the liberal establishment.
It is hard to argue with the fact that moral courage trumps physical courage in the arena of human challenges. Good article today Gen. Satterfield.
I will note as a long-time reader of your blog that “moral courage” is a regular theme but that “physical courage” is rarely brought up. Good points here. See your post Leadership Characteristic #18: https://www.theleadermaker.com/characteristic-18-moral-courage/
I think you will find a consensus among those who have been in situations that call for either moral or physical courage, that the former is the toughest. I will suggest that it is the frequency that we encounter moral issues in our lives. Today, too many folks just say “go with it” or “just blend in”. This is, of course, not an acceptable course of action for a leader who wants to be the best.
My job with one of the three-letter govt agencies has taken me places and put me and my peers into situations that test both our physical and moral courage. Believe me, moral courage is harder. I don’t know why, perhaps it’s being human, but I found it much more difficult.
“Jelly”, I would like to hear more about your experiences with this “3-letter govt agency”. I’m sure you have been there and seen it all.
I agree with Tony. Please consider writing for http://www.theLeaderMaker.com.
I second that motion.
Mr. Bryce, I agree with these guys. Please write an article for us.
I too agree. Count me in.
It looks as if you have a following among my readers. Contact me at douglas.r.satterfield@gmail.com if you would like to contribute. Thanks.