Breaking out of patterns and treating art as a foundation of human experience sounds like fun, of course. But rarely is the question asked, what would it take to break out from the old mold? Courage, Dr. May insists.
Only 70 years ago artists have been viewed as a menace to many conformists societies, such as Nazist Germany or Soviet Russia, and creativity has been prosecuted as a dangerous force. Creative minds, like Alexander Solzhinizin, had to fight for their liberation and their right to interpret the truth. Creativity therefore requires the physical, moral and social action, a self-less gesture that demands confrontation with fear, the unknown and possible social punishment. To have creative courage means to stand up for new ideas ( yours of someone else’s), despite repercussions from old ways of thinking, sometimes requiring to go against your family, your community or society.
To all of the creative minds, it is up to you whether to forfeit your true creativity in favor of conformity or familiarity. It is my hope, though, that you will follow your creative courage.
“The Courage to Create”
by Rollo May
Published in 1975
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