Find Your Courage and Let it Live!

by: Cailey Bronny

In the fall of 2006, I had an experience that profoundly shaped who I was to become as a future humanitarian and change maker. My travels took me to the Northwestern region of Africa, Morocco. I held the misguided notion that once in Morocco I would transcend into a world of exotic scenery and lush accommodations. Instead I witnessed abject poverty, child labor, and exploitation that were compounded by subjugation and anguish. It is only upon reflection that I realize that that day served as the catalyst for what has become my mission of striving to create change for the poverty stricken, marginalized, and disenfranchised people of our world. Human suffering is intolerable, it is unnecessary, and the only way to end it is to face it head on by taking action.

I have seen the ugly truth of an apathetic country turn its back on its own citizens, only to scoff at those trying to support the needs of people near and far. It greatly frustrates me to witness inertia in the face of suffering, and to encounter the fatalistic attitudes of my fellow Americans. As Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel states, “Remember: silence helps the killer, never his victims. “ Let me be clear. There is only one way to rid oneself of this dreadful paralysis that can leave us feeling helpless, and that is to act. On that note, I am continually inspired by the altruistic actions my generation is taking to ease the suffering of others. Nothing highlights this more than the annual Clinton Global Initiative University Conference of 2011. I was surrounded by other students who understood that the buck stops with us, and our generation has the power to make many positive impacts around the world. Our mission was clear: As student leaders we committed to taking action in addressing global challenges through the implementation of innovative solutions designed to produce tangible results.

I often think of the quote, “The world has dreamers, and the world has doers. But what the world needs is dreamers who do.” This is the point I will always come back to through my blogs. In a world increasingly dominated by the have and have not’s, we must take an unflinching look at this and ask ourselves how do we create a better world for tomorrow? I absolutely believe in the power of the people, and I hope that today through sharing a little about me you realize that you can be the change you wish to see in the world. My advice would be to start small. Get involved in student government, local organizations, help at homeless shelters, animal shelters, whatever. Just get out there and be prepared to be astonished by the resilience and grace of the human spirit.