If I could assign a set of books for every American to read, Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage would be one of them. It is quite simply one of the best books I’ve read in a long time, and its message is something every single American needs to understand and take to heart.
A retired Navy SEAL and now congressman, Dan Crensaw came to national attention when comedian Pete Davidson, on a November 2018 Saturday Night Live episode, mocked the physical appearance of several congressional candidates in that year’s midterm elections — including Dan Crenshaw.
On that episode, as part of the “Weekend Update” sketch, while running through a series of photos of congressional candidates, making a crack or two at each one, Davidson landed on Crenshaw — a young, handsome man with an eye patch.
“This guy is kind of cool,” said Davidson, setting up his stinger. “You might be surprised to hear that he’s a congressional candidate from Texas and not a hitman in a porno.”
In the midst of laughter, Davidson added in a token, arguably dismissive aside: “I’m sorry, I know he lost his eye in war….or whatever.”
As a matter of fact, Crenshaw lost his eye on June 15, 2012 to an IED in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. And the book details not only the explosion that grievously wounded him and a fellow SEAL, while also killing their interpreter, but also his harrowing journey through healing, recovery, and personal growth in the aftermath.
To his credit, Crenshaw chose the high road after Davidson’s insult. He chose not to be offended, but to instead exhibit grace — and give space for redemption and reconciliation.
In Fortitude, Crenshaw shares some great wisdom he heard from a professor at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. It’s a mantra Crenshaw has repeated often and has become known for – and is indeed arguably the theme for Fortitude:
“Try hard not to offend, and try harder not to be offended.”
Davidson would later apologize in a subsequent SNL episode, jointly appearing with Crenshaw. It was funny and unifying. And all made possible because Crenshaw never demanded an apology, didn’t call for Davidson’s head, and didn’t say or do anything to rile up the “outrage mob” on social media.
Dan Crenshaw – and Pete Davidson (after realizing his transgression) – took the high road and provided America with an example of what could be. And what should be.
Fortitude is about how rage is ruining America.
It’s about how outrage and social shaming are sabotaging public discourse and destroying lives. And about how too much shaming and too much outrage, in the end, have the opposite effect — the cheapening and devaluing of both.
This of course should be clear to anyone with a speck of common sense. It is simply not healthy for a person to be outraged day in and day out. Sustained outrage may be good for certain politicians, social media influencers, and community organizers. But it’s bad for people’s health. And it’s toxic and destructive for society.
To give you a taste of the much-needed truth and wisdom contained in Fortitude, here are a few of its best quotes:
- “Outrage is weakness. It is the muting of rational thinking and the triumph of emotion.”
- “Outrage culture is the weaponization of emotion, and the elevation of emotion above reason.”
- “[Outrage culture] is the new normal, where moral righteousness rises in proportion to your level of outrage. The more outraged one is, the more authentic one is perceived to be. And the more authentic one is, the greater one’s moral standing. Reason, rationale, and evidence be damned.”
- “Instead of seeking understanding, people are increasingly interpreting the actions of others in the least generous way possible and assuming the worst of intentions.”
- “Every generation of Americans needs to know that freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.”
Those of you on the left side of the political spectrum may have a difficult time reading a book written by a Republican congressman. You shouldn’t. And if you do, it frankly says more about you than about Crenshaw.
Call me old-fashioned but I believe that a disabled Navy SEAL, one wounded in the service of his country, deserves your attention – especially if you take seriously your citizenship in the United States.
Part of the problem with our society today is that we divide each other up into groups and tribes – and refuse to listen to people with different perspectives or opinions. We are more apt, in this era of outrage, to demonize and defame our political opponents than we are to listen to them.
I believe Americans should read outside of their thought bubbles or echo chambers. We should read widely — from authors from various perspectives. We should read authors who look different from us and who think different from us. Only in this way can we be challenged.
And we never grow apart from challenge. We never grow inside our Comfort Zones. And this too is among the lessons in Fortitude.
Adversity is a great teacher. And so is unfair adversity. If we spend more time learning, growing, and persevering through adversity and challenge, we actually wind up being stronger and more fulfilled in the end — as opposed to succumbing to bitterness and rage.
Crenshaw doesn’t dispute that stands must sometimes be taken or that people must at times be held accountable. On the contrary, Crenshaw argues that we are much better equipped and able to bring about worthwhile change when our minds are sharp and our emotions are in check.
And as for holding people accountable, Crenshaw argues that “a little shame is good.” A little shame “keeps you accountable, and on course” and “is a necessary element for personal responsibility, which is a necessary bedrock for a successful life.”
In this sense, Crenshaw says that some public shame is appropriate and necessary when people (especially leaders) get out of line. But…
The overuse of and overindulgence in shame and outrage have the opposite effect. If everyone is always offended at something and people are always shouting (online and offline) at something…
Reason and Truth get lost in the emotion and the noise.
Authentic accountability dies. And society suffers for it.
This, Crenshaw warns, is where we are headed. And I would say it’s largely where we are today.
Politically and socially speaking, our only hope is if more Americans listen to what people like Dan Crenshaw have to say. And I hope that starts with you.
Grab a copy of Fortitude. Get it. Read it from cover to cover. Every word. And then share it with a friend.
In an era where Americans are increasingly confused and conflicted on what it means to be a hero, let there be no mistake…
Dan Crenshaw is a hero.
He’s a hero for his service to his country as a veteran, for his example in powering through (even overcoming) adversity, and his willingness to serve honorably in public office. But…
I would say that one of his most heroic contributions to America is this book. And I hope more Americans will benefit from it.
