True Bravery

"Dumbledore raised his hand. The room gradually fell silent. 'There are all kinds of courage,' said Dumbledore, smiling. 'It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom.'" (p306, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling)

Today, I read a letter my friend submitted to The Daily Universe, a campus newspaper at the University she attends. Now this particular friend has never been one to shy away from speaking truth and I respect her for this. But today, I think she went above and beyond. She took a stand for her beliefs and she did it without the safety of a costume, an anonymous blog, or a secret identity. She put her name to it for all the world to read. Just as our founding fathers did. And that takes bravery. I'm not sure if you are aware of what happened to those that signed the Declaration of Independence. Their lives were not pleasant or easy after that fateful decision. When they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honour, they did just that. Most of them lost their lives and their fortunes. But because of their courage and integrity, I believe they never lost their sacred honour.

Her letter decried a certain book series which, although very popular amongst women and young women in particular, promotes unhealthy relationships and is, according to the legal and moral definition, pornography. This is especially disheartening considering the author's religious background, which consistently and repeatedly denounces pornography or anything like it. It is also disturbing because of the author's intended audience.

I do not believe my friend opposes or dislikes the people who read those books. In a sense, she is standing up to friends, the way a true friend would. A true friend reminds us of the very best of who we are and the world we live in. A true friend is the best kind of sidekick you could ever have. And that is why it was Mr. Longbottom's points that won the House Cup for Gryffendor despite the acts of bravery performed by Harry, Hermione, and Ron. As Galadriel from LOTR stated "even the smallest person can change the course of the world." You just have to bravely take a stand.