Founding Statement

Courage.Media is founded on the principle that courage is bold action in the face of threats to individuals, culture, and the pursuit of truth. Courage is the endeavor to be honest, even when conformity is easier. Inspired by my journey from tribalism to civilization, Courage.Media is a place where ideas are openly discussed and challenged; a community that values freedom of thought and expression.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it. In my life I was able to overcome the pressure to comply with barbaric norms, death threats, and political adversity. At times it was more appealing to go along and get along. The consequences in the long term, however, would have made life intolerable. I could have gone to Canada thirty years ago to live as the property of a man of my father’s choosing in order to uphold the honor of my family, but ever since I took that train to the Netherlands in the summer of 1992 to defy the fate that was supposed to be set in stone for me, I have experienced the endless, unexpected, and profound rewards of mustering courage.

Courage.Media aims to amplify the voices of others who are unafraid to confront difficult issues, radical ideologies, cultural shifts, or political tensions. Silence is an insidious, corrosive evil. It makes us vulnerable to outside forces and complicit in the narratives of others. When someone is silenced, or a population is afraid to speak, it is not just their story that ends. Society is brought to a moral, spiritual, and intellectual standstill.

The alternative, of course, is the free exchange of ideas. The courage to listen, the courage to speak up, and the courage to withstand and even embrace challenge. This is how we formulate the best ideas, and manifest them in our communities.

Courage.Media is not just a platform; it is a movement towards a more brave, honest, and open society. I will be sharing my written work, more frequently than ever before, publishing commentary and investigative journalism from eminent contributors, launching a new podcast, and more.

By becoming a member, you join a movement dedicated to truth, freedom of expression, and meaningful dialogue. Build Courage.Media with us. Join today.