A symbol of “showing attitude”: the “Fearless Girl” statue in front of the New York Stock Exchange building on Wall Street.Image: keystone
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Feb 13, 2026, 3:29 p.mFeb 13, 2026, 3:29 p.m
By that I don’t necessarily mean a political stance. Because sometimes it’s not about left or right. But about right or wrong. And more and more often about true or untrue.
There are courageous people who, in chaotic, crisis-filled times like now, show us what that means: having an attitude. They often don’t get talked about enough, but when they do, they remind us of what is right – and what is wrong.
I’m thinking of women like the dozens of victims of Epstein’s system, like Virginia Giuffre, Courtney Wild, Lisa Philipps and many, many more, who were kidnapped, raped and abused. Who still stand with their name and face and demand justice. And some of them had to pay with their lives.
I also think of Giselle Pelicot, who was drugged by her husband and raped by so many men. But later in court she looks them in the eyes until they have to look away. Until “shame finally changes sides”.
Or the Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslaw Heraskewych, who wanted to commemorate dead athletes who died in the war. But the International Olympic Committee banned him from wearing a commemorative helmet. And who remained steadfast despite the threat of exclusion from the Olympic Games.
The people of Heraskevych’s homeland who refuse to give up. The old woman who refuses to leave her city despite the daily shelling of her homeland. Even though she is freezing in her apartment and has no light.
But I’m also thinking of people like Mark Carney, who, like so many others, is being put under pressure by the Trump administration. The prime minister whose country has a lot to lose and who still refuses to be intimidated. But he finds the clearest words of all.
I even think of people like Liz Cheney or Mike Pence, who did the right thing under death threats and knowing their careers were about to end. And exposed themselves for the truth and against their own party.
I am thinking particularly of the thousands upon thousands of courageous Iranians who took to the streets against a corrupt, inhumane regime. They knew that they were threatened with death and still set foot outside the door. And who gave their lives for it.
I’m sure we can all think of many more people like that. People who stand firm and stand up for what is right despite adversity that we often cannot even begin to imagine. They impress precisely because they don’t do that would have tobecause you would understand if they didn’t. These voices should not be lost because they can serve as a compass for us in a difficult time.
The year is just over a month old and we have already seen so much suffering and chaos: Crans-Montana, Iran, ICE, Venezuela, Epstein files. Above all, smoldering crises of the century such as the civil war in Sudan, the climate crisis, the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the ever-increasing attacks on democracies – from within and without.
Times like these can sometimes paralyze us, make us no longer want to consume news, adopt a cynical attitude or even radicalize us. People sometimes warn that we are becoming more polarized as a society. In fact, the polar parties in this country seem to be gaining ground; there are even stronger trends in the USA, Germany and other countries. Radicalization always grows in times of crisis, and is even more so driven by social media and disinformation.
There are voices that are now demanding that we keep a cool head and not always comment on everything or inflame the mood. That may be wise. It is often wise not to have a fixed opinion so that we can still listen to each other and be open to arguments – the truth often comes in shades of gray and not black and white.
But if you think that means giving up an attitude, you’re wrong. We need more attitude than ever.
Because with some things there are no shades of gray. We should be grateful for people who keep reminding us of this.
The backgrounds of the people: