Chris' question

There has been many times in my life in which I wanted to do something important for what I believe in, but felt out of place, or too awkward to do so. Like when my friends used the word “gay” to mean stupid. I felt it very hard to tell them that I was offended by it and would prefer if they found a new word to use in it’s place. I was afraid what they might think if I was offended by it. Would they think I was gay? Probably not, they know me well enough. It made me feel very bad about myself that I couldn’t stand up for what I believe in. However, the constant thought of how I couldn’t stand up for myself is what made me fight my fears and ultimately become comfortable with standing up for what I believe in.
In Stranger Than Fiction, Chuck Palahniuk interviews many wrestlers who stand up for what they believe in despite others thinking poorly of the wrestling sport. Or, when the Christians protest the Testy Fest, they are also standing up for what they believe. Though this is not exactly what the question is asking, it’s the best I can do. It’s the best I can do because Stranger Than Fiction is not a conventional book. Thus, I cannot make a complete comparison, however, I think you get my point. My point is, we all go through times in which we are too scared to stand up for what we believe.