Boniface Mwangi The Day I Stood Up Alone

Boniface Mwangi gave a speech called “The Day I Stood Up Alone;” in this message he conveys how standing up for what you believe makes a difference and gives your life purpose. Mwangi was raised with a belief that where he lived, you shouldn't confront or argue. In his country, (Kenya,) the ruler, a dictator, would torture, imprison, or even kill anyone who questioned the president's authority. Mwangi explained how in Kenya, it wasn't looked down upon to be a coward; It actually was viewed as a way to survive being the “smart” thing to do. Being a photographer, Mwangi saw first hand disturbing violence that came about during an election eight years prior. Tired of what he had seen, he attempted to assemble a group to stand up and protest against all the violence in the country. Nobody else came with Mwangi. Instead of choosing to act like a coward, he chose to stand for what he believed in. Mwangi found himself in bloodied up and put in jail. He reasoned that others didn't view his passion as being credible because of their lack of up close experience. Mwangi got the people involved and more aware, showing them the violent photographs by setting stands up in the streets. Once being alone, he now has a community who stands up with him.