Embracing True Badassery: Kindness as Strength
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Understanding Badassery
Recently, I attended a gathering featuring a New Age guru from the U.S. who fuses yoga-inspired spirituality with a skeptical attitude reminiscent of Joe Rogan. Addressing a small yet welcoming crowd, she claimed that Canadians are burdened by a tyrannical government comparable to North Korea or China. This exaggerated statement referenced public health measures during the Covid pandemic, and she praised the audience for their resilience during what she termed a dark chapter in Canadian history.
“You Canadians are true badasses!” she exclaimed, shaking her head in admiration.
The audience responded with polite applause, typical of Canadian politeness, while some cheered enthusiastically. A few, like myself, were puzzled about what exactly we did to earn such a prestigious label. This made me ponder how our perception of what it means to be a badass has become so distorted.
Section 1.1: The American Interpretation of Badassery
In the United States, there’s a fascination with being a badass, often equating it with being a renegade or an outlaw—essentially, a tough individual who doesn’t take nonsense from anyone. For some, this might mean wielding a weapon. In a historical context, if you were a Saxon defending your village from Vikings intent on stealing livestock and harming your family, your neighbors would be grateful for your combat skills.
However, that’s merely a fraction of what true badassery entails. Most modern individuals won’t face such extreme scenarios, yet many feel compelled to showcase their badassery in misguided and often ridiculous ways.
Section 1.2: Misguided Expressions of Badassery
You might recognize them: the individuals who call themselves resistance fighters while harassing healthcare workers during a public health crisis; those who carry AR-15s while shopping, convinced they need to defend against imaginary threats; or the wealthy who boast about participating in MMA fights, seeking validation from their fans. This performative badassery distorts the concept into something grotesque, reducing a noble idea to its most trivial aspects.
In a society that glorifies violence or the mere suggestion of it, the true essence of being a badass has been warped into something both absurd and perilous.
What True Badassery Looks Like
Being a true badass doesn’t involve flaunting weapons or exuding mean-spirited toughness. It’s not about showing off like a child trying to impress their parents. So, what does a genuine badass embody?
Consider the example of Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, who, in 2013, intervened during a horrific attack on a British soldier, Lee Rigby. Upon witnessing the chaos, she bravely approached one of the assailants, engaging him in conversation and likely preventing further violence until authorities arrived. When interviewed later, she humbly downplayed her actions, stating, “I don’t think I did something courageous.”
Section 2.1: The Traits of a True Badass
True badasses share several key characteristics:
- Bravery: Carrying a weapon to intimidate others stems from insecurity, while confronting armed individuals unarmed is true courage.
- Selflessness: A real badass is willing to sacrifice for the greater good, focusing on others rather than themselves.
- Humility: They don’t seek recognition or validation through accolades; they do what’s right regardless of an audience.
- Kindness: Remaining compassionate in the face of evil is a crucial aspect of genuine badassery.
Most importantly, true badassery serves a purpose. It’s about fulfilling necessary tasks, not catering to the whims of self-centered individuals.
The Moment of Truth
Everyone has an innate desire for admiration, to be seen as a hero or a badass. Yet, we often don’t realize our true capacity for badassery until faced with uncomfortable situations.
These moments may not involve confronting armed attackers but will inevitably present dilemmas where we must choose between speaking out or remaining silent, between acting or turning away. When it comes time to do the right thing, even at the risk of a friendship or job, may we choose the path of true badassery.
May we all embrace the courage to be kind and stand up for what is right.