Elouise Cobell: A Small Measure Of Justice By Melinda Janko

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Moral courage is the quality of mind and spirit that enables one to face ethical challenges firmly and confidently, without flinching or retreating. It is the strength to make decisions and take actions that are in line with one’s ethical beliefs. Moral courage is crucial because it empowers individuals to uphold their values and integrity, contributing to a just and principled society. By cultivating moral courage, individuals develop the resilience to navigate complex moral landscapes and to advocate for ethical conduct in their personal and professional lives. My argument is that moral courage, which is defined as the willingness to stand up for ethical principles despite potential risks or adverse consequences, significantly influences …show more content…

Simone’s decision to withdraw from the Olympics due to mental health concerns can be seen as an act of moral courage and intelligent disobedience. Simone Biles told Today that “For so many years to go through everything that I’ve gone through, put on a front, I’m proud of myself, and I’m happy that I can be a leader for the survivors and bring courage to everybody speaking up, so I’m happy to be a voice for them.” An example of moral courage and resilience in action is Elouise Cobell. “Elouise Cobell: A Small Measure of Justice” by Melinda Janko chronicles the remarkable journey of a petite Blackfeet warrior from Montana, whose relentless pursuit of justice echoes the essence of moral courage. Cobell waged the largest class-action legal battle against the U.S. government.Eloise Cobell, a Blackfoot Indian from Montana and banker by profession, filed the largest class action lawsuit ever filed against the Federal Government on behalf of hundreds of thousands of individual Indians in 1996 after finding many discrepancies in the management of funds for lands held in trust by the United States in her job as treasurer for the Blackfoot …show more content…

However, the interpretation and application of moral courage can vary greatly depending on societal norms and personal circumstances. Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw from the Olympics due to mental health concerns can be seen as an act of moral courage and intelligent disobedience. Moral courage involves standing up for what is right, even in the face of disapproval or criticism. Intelligent disobedience, on the other hand, involves knowing when and how to disobey, especially when it involves maintaining standards and upholding moral values (APA). Biles’ decision to prioritize her mental health over competing in the Olympics, despite the expectations and pressures, aligns with these concepts. The concept of intelligent disobedience also aligns with moral courage. It involves knowing when and how to disobey orders that conflict with ethical values. Just as Biles recognized her limits, intelligent disobedience requires discernment within systems to maintain standards and uphold moral integrity. It’s about doing right when what you’re told to do is wrong (Thomas and Chaleff 5). Mental health issues affect athletes at all

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