“The real damage is done by those millions who want to ‘survive.’ The honest (people) who just want to be left in peace. Those who don’t want their little lives disturbed by anything bigger than themselves. Those with no sides and no causes. Those who won’t take measure of their own strength, for fear of antagonizing their own weakness. Those who don’t like to make waves—or enemies. Those for whom freedom, honour, truth, and principles are only literature. Those who live small, mate small, die small. It’s the reductionist approach to life: if you keep it small, you’ll keep it under control. If you don’t make any noise, the bogeyman won’t find you. But it’s all an illusion, because they die too, those people who roll up their spirits into tiny little balls so as to be safe. Safe?! From what? Life is always on the edge of death; narrow streets lead to the same place as wide avenues, and a little candle burns itself out just like a flaming torch does. I choose my own way to burn.”    -Sophie Scholl, in discussion how Germany let Hitler take over

As we look out upon this new morning, let us each decide to be a friend to humankind this day. Many we be the ones who do not ignore a prejudiced comment. May we be the one’s who face the unwithering scorn of propagandized people to speak a word of truth. May we love humanity enough to be rejected for a time if that is what it takes to stand with the outcasts and scapegoats of our culture. None of us can live forever. Our only choice is whether to give our lives bravely for our highest value, or to have life ripped from our quivering and cowardly hands.