Random story...

People's character is revealed not when things are going smoothly, but when times are darkest.

One vivid memory I have burned into my brain was coming home from a pretty fun night out. I was a passenger in a car with three others and we were joking and having a great time. The topic of my serious girlfriend at the time arouse kind of out of the blue. The conversation quickly turned into a little attack on her and then into an even larger attack. I've always been one to defend people who are not there to defend themselves so I began to defend her. I felt like I had my back against the wall because I was in their car a little bit at their mercy. They were pretty good friends of mine, so I was trying to be tactful, but they really weren't. I could have bit my tongue and allowed the insults, but honestly, if I wasn't going to defend my girlfriend, even against my good friends, then who should?

I asked for them to pull over. I got out and walked. About two seconds later the car again pulled over and another guy got out of the car. He walked up to me and told me he thought I was right. I was respectful in my statements, but I wasn't going to silence myself. He and I walked home together and it was amazing. I was proud of his friendship and honored by his support.

When people don't speak up, it doesn't benefit the victim, it helps the oppressor. It's ok to take a stand. People who walk in the middle of the road usually get run down. Personally I don't mind standing up for what I believe in... even if it rocks the boat a little. Without core values and if you can't stand up for yourself... What do you really have?