Courage is a word that is often thrown around too loosely.
Athletes are often described as courageous when they make a tough play. Actors somehow get deemed as courageous when they take on a tough role.
However, in the past couple of weeks we have seen two people demonstrate genuine acts of courage that should serve as inspirations for all of us.
On February 22 in Winnipeg, Alameda product Todd Holt went public with the fact that he was abused by his former junior hockey coach, the notorious Graham James. Up until that day, Holt's identity had been protected by a publication ban that was issued when he filed charges against James roughly two years ago.
Instead, Holt decided to reveal to the world that he was one of James' victims and in doing so became a hero to many who have suffered the horrors of abuse.
Had he desired it, Holt's identity would have continued to be protected by the publication ban, which was certainly his right. Dealing with abuse is one thing but to do it in the national spotlight is a whole other matter.
But instead of being one of the many faceless, silent victims of abuse, Holt stepped from the shadows and said this has happened to me, but I am fighting back and reclaiming my life and so can you.
As Holt said in a story in last week's edition of The Mercury, it isn't an easy road to go down but once that pivotal first step is taken, life will gradually get better and has bravely put himself out there as an example.
Although it did not receive the same level of attention, the decision of an Estevan teen to take a stand against bullying also deserves our admiration.
Maddi Tweed, who is a Grade 9 student at the Estevan Comprehensive School, made that stand through a letter to the editor in last week's paper. In her letter, Maddi criticized the bullying policies at the school and shed light on the situation at ECS.
Much like Holt, Maddi could have decided to say nothing, but took the courageous step to say enough is enough after seeing someone she described as the strongest person she knows brought to tears by bullying.
With bullying an ongoing issue among teens, many kids, out of fear of becoming bullied themselves, often do whatever they can to stay unnoticed. Instead, Maddi threw a spotlight on herself by standing up for her friend and other students who are dealing with similar problems. She obviously knew such a letter could potentially place a target on her back, and even had the chance to retract the letter, but bravely stepped forward to say things need to change. We hope her decision is a catalyst for others at ECS to step forward and take their own stand against bullying. Perhaps if enough students show similar courage, the tide against acts of bullying will finally take a turn for the good.
Change is never easy and often takes someone with courage to step up before things will get better.
In Todd Holt and Maddi Tweed, we have two such people. We can only hope others decide to follow the same path.
