Never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.
People always seem to assume that we have a full, back-up support team - make-up, costume and a driver - but usually, in a war zone, there's only me and the cameraman.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the reality of working in challenging environments, emphasizing individual effort over assumed support.
Kate Adie's quote underscores the often overlooked truth about the solitary struggles faced by journalists and professionals in war zones. While the public may envision them surrounded by teams of support staff, the reality is that many operate with minimal assistance, relying primarily on their own skills and courage to navigate dangerous situations. This reflects not only the toughness required for such work but also the surreal and isolating experience of being a witness to conflict.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about the challenges faced by journalists in conflict zones.
Similar quotes
Every time we witness an injustice and do not act, we train our character to be passive in its presence and thereby eventually lose all ability to defend ourselves and those we love.
You have a right to say no. Most of us have very weak and flaccid 'no' muscles. We feel guilty for saying no. We get ostracized and challenged for saying no, so we forget it's our choice. Your 'no' muscle has to be built up to get to a place where you can say, 'I don't care if that's what you want. I don't want that. No.'
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear-not absence of fear. Except a creature be part coward it is not a compliment to say it is brave; it is merely a loose application of the word. Consider the flea! - incomparably the bravest of all the creatures of God, if ignorance of fear were courage.
Look at an infantryman's eyes and you can tell how much war he has seen.
Don't be afraid of your own strength.