ABSTRACT
In this lyrical essay, Natanya Ann Pulley reflects upon a perhaps counterintuitive form of bravery: being vulnerable. She recounts her journey from worrying what to wear to teach and fears of not being taken seriously by students and colleagues to developing a confident presentation of self that allows for emotional expressions. She argues that showing emotion in contexts where professionalism demands being distant, cold, and emotionless is inherently brave. Through this essay, Natanya makes a case for a broader definition of bravery: “Being brave means not only standing up and speaking when you’d rather slink away, but also finding the way that fits you best and honors what you hold valuable and vital even if our culture would call that way weak or lacking.” She encourages other readers to harness the bravery of being vulnerable and emotional, rather than seeing emotions as weakness or incompetence.
