There are many different persons that have many different explanations for why they would rather take a stand or win. Some people believe that taking a stand without winning is pointless and a waste of time, but I believe that taking a stand is much more important than winning. Taking a stand can pave the way for a better future for humanity. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one example of many individuals that bettered humanity because of them taking a stand. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Protestant Lutheran Pastor, theologian, and active in the German resistance to the policies of Hitler and Nazism. He fought against Hitler for quite some time but he was eventually imprisoned then executed by Hitler. Although he did not win, he was able to get his point across to the world. By doing this he severely crippled the support of Nazism and Hitler. Bonhoeffer was not able to see the fruits of his labor but he was able to get his voice heard by the masses that eventually led to the destruction of Hitler and his regime.
Another very well known person that took a stand was Rosa Parks. Rosa Louise McCauley Parks was an African American civil rights activist and seamstress whom the U.S. Congress dubbed the “Mother of the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement”. The event that made her name known to many around the world was her refusal on 1 December 1955, to obey bus driver James Blake’s demand that she relinquish her seat to a white man. Although she was arrested and tried. Her magnificent showing of bravery and pride triggered one of the largest and most successful mass movements against racial segregation in history. Her role in American history earned her an iconic status in American culture, and her actions have left an enduring legacy for civil rights movements around the world.
Long before individuals like Rosa Parks and Dietrich Bonhoeffer were born. You could still find individuals taking a stand for what they believe in. In the years before christ lived a man by the name of Socrates. Socrates was a greek philosopher. After the military defeat of Athens, there was a rise in nationalism and the free-thinking Socrates was put on trial for his unorthodox beliefs. He could have repudiated his beliefs to save his life. But, he felt it was more important to stand by the truth even if it meant his death which he accepted calmly.
There are many people that are on the side of winning. Many individuals in society may believe that not winning is a waste of time. I also shared in this way of thinking. I believed that if there is no way of winning, I would try not to involve myself in the matter. I know that many people still adopt my previous way of thinking. But after reading about these historic figures such as Rosa Parks and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I have changed my views. Although taking a stand may not produce immediate results, it will inspire those in society to rise up and try to create a better world for all.
