The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXX

Preface
by Alexandra Marshall
Bullying is a dominant theme in these “Courage In My Life” essays, as it has
been throughout the thirty years of the Max Warburg Courage Curriculum.
Now, cyber-bullying invades the home that was once a vulnerable school
kid’s sanctuary from menacing classmates. And with adult versions of these
behaviors normalized in public life, we witness the profound consequences
of bullying. The disruptions caused by the coronavirus have intensified the
challenges for children and their teachers and parents. Yet, while it may seem
that we are all at the mercy of our weaknesses, we discover in these pages
a sustaining strength. One child writes, “Courage helped me to get help.”
Another echoes, “You see? All you have to do is use your voice.”
Whether in Boston or Belize, Michigan or Mongolia, the writing assignment
is to give expression to the courage a child discovers within. And while these
essays reflect the many forms courage can take, the constant is that our
children are coping valiantly with severe situations. Past generations have
defined bullying as a universal rite of passage to be suffered, but today’s kids
demonstrate an evolved wisdom. With an often stunning display of emotional
intelligence, they open up about their feelings, and they reach out.
These children are alert to themselves and to each other in instructive ways.
And by linking the essays together, these young people can realize how much
they already know as well as how much they can learn from each other. The
International essays do not reflect bullying the way our American essays do,
and this provides another learning experience. With each volume, inspired
now as always by the courage displayed by a young boy named Max, a
community of shared courage is created.
Here are their voices: “Courage is like a muscle. You need to develop it with
small challenges that start early.” “Don’t ever give up, try your hardest and if
you don’t succeed right away, learn from your mistakes and try again.” “If I
can show bravery and strength, then you can too when you face any problem.
Be brave enough to talk to someone.” “Making a difference for yourself might
make a difference to someone else, too.” “But perhaps I’m not so scared
anymore after experiencing what courage feels like.” “The sky’s the limit when
courage and perseverance are partnered to achieve one’s dreams.”
The world’s children know that “Courage is hard work.” But they discover
that “Courage is a force.” And they find that “Today as I write my story, I feel
comfort and pride.”
We can call this achievement the Democracy of Courage.
Alexandra Marshall is the author of six books and a forthcoming memoir.
She has coordinated the selection and publication of the annual “Courage in My Life”
essay collections since the founding of the Max Warburg Courage Curriculum.
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