Defiant Optimism

"They do not seek conformity. They do not surrender. Out of their differences comes symmetry. Their unique capacity to fight against impossible odds. Hurt them, they only come back stronger. The passions we deplore have taken them to their place in the stars, and will propel them to a great destiny. Their only weakness is that they do not recognize their own greatness." -- Delenn

This DailyKOS diary reminded me of this, one of my favorite quotes from the show Babylon 5. Delenn, the alien Minbari embassador, says this when another member of her race scoffs at her fascination with humans.

Babylon 5 expresses a defiant optimism that shines brightest in the face of defeatism. None said it better than G'Kar, a Narn, whose planet had just been conquered an occupied by the Centauri:

"No dictator... no invader... can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever. There is no greater power in the universe than the need for freedom. Against that power, governments and tyrants and armies cannot stand. The Centauri learned this lesson once. We will teach it to them again. Though it take a thousand years, we will be free."