Standing up to the small stuff might put you at odds w/ social trends. It might cause friction between you & your peers. It might threaten your employment prospects. It will be *socially uncomfortable*. That's why the train gets going: by the time it's socially acceptable to say No, it's too late.

It's the latter kind of bravery we most need -- the kind that prevents horrors from happening in the first place. The kind that doesn't get you parades, it gets you sneers & snide remarks. The kind that's dreary & unrewarding.