“Alvin Barnes Jackson Mississippi’ Courage, Fire, and Faith: A Meaning of Manhood
- Alvin Barnes
- May 28
- 3 min read
By Alvin Barnes of Jackson, Mississippi
Courage doesn’t always look like victory. Sometimes, it looks like standing in the fire and speaking the truth even when no one wants to hear it.
This type of courageous act is scary and hard to do.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what real manhood looks like. Not the kind that’s loud and reckless, not the kind that performs strength but has no soul. I’m talking about the kind of manhood rooted in truth and spiritual grounding. And when I look at people like Pope Francis, President Zelensky, and Senator Cory Booker, I see something that inspires me deeply, not because they’re perfect, but because they’re brave.
Pope Francis: Speaking Truth with a Holy Boldness
Pope Francis didn’t play politics with the truth. He spoke it, whether it’s about the poor, the planet, or the ills of our power structures. And what strikes me is that he does it softly, but with unshakable conviction. He said the things that are hard to say, things that could have isolated him, even inside the Church. But still, he spoke. He reminds me that to follow God means sometimes standing alone. It means saying things that will make people uncomfortable, not because you want to be controversial, but because you can’t claim to love Jesus and ignore justice.
Zelensky: Defiance Rooted in Duty
In President Zelensky, I see a rare kind of moral clarity and defiance. It’s not often you witness someone stand up to those who wield near God-like power, knowing that their abandonment could mean destruction. That takes courage. Defending what’s right in the face of such grave consequences is no easy task.
Zelensky doesn’t fall for political spin or bend the truth to get what he wants. He speaks, lets the truth stand on its own, and accepts whatever comes of it. That’s leadership. That’s manhood, not speaking the truth because it’s safe, but because it’s right.
Cory Booker: Compassion in the Fire
Senator Cory Booker's compassion on the Senate floor was inspiring when some say compassion is a liability in politics. I think it’s not only courageous but a requirement, More love in legislation. More men are willing to be vulnerable and still fight like hell for what’s right. Booker reminds me that empathy and fire don’t cancel each other out; they fuel each other. He shows me that you don’t have to scream to be powerful. You just must mean it. He shows me that spirituality isn’t just personal, it’s public.
The True Meaning of Manhood
These men show me that true manhood is spiritual. It’s not a performance. It’s not bravado. It’s having the backbone to do the hard thing, and the heart to still be human while doing it. It’s doing what’s right, even when it might not move the needle, even when the consequences might come knocking.
Sometimes, you won’t be rewarded for your truth. Sometimes, you’ll be mocked for your compassion. But you do it anyway. Because your integrity is your testimony. And your faith is your foundation. I want to be that kind of man. I want to be able to speak the truth, even when my voice shakes. I want to move with love, even when the world calls it weak.And I want to stand, like those three, with a courage that’s not ego-driven but God-given. It’s scary. But it’s inspiring. And more than anything, it gives me hope.
Peace and Love,
Alvin Barnes of Jackson, Mississippi
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