Your Spartacus Moment

(It’s now.)

The 1960 movie Spartacus was built upon the story of a real person, a slave named Spartacus who led a slave revolt.

The film had a lot going for it: Stanley Kubrik, who later directed 2001, directed it. It was based on a novel by Howard Fast, an established author who wrote dozens of novels and short stories. Dalton Trumbo, author of Johnny Got His Gun, wrote the screenplay. It had an amazing cast: Lawrence Olivier, Tony Curtis, Peter Ustinov, and, of course, Kirk Douglas as Spartacus.

The movie won multiple Academy Awards, and is most famous for a crucial moment near the end of the film. The Roman army is going to crucify Spartacus’ army unless they surrender Spartacus. Spartacus rises to accept the punishment, so the rest of his men won’t be punished. However, all the rest of his men also rise, calling out “I am Spartacus” and taking responsibility for the moment and the rebellion.

In addition to the general quality of the film, this moment — and this line — has taken on a life of its own. Kirk Douglas used it as the title of a book on the making of the film, and it shows up in countless memes.

It gathered this life because the moment does such a fantastic job of summing up moral courage. Spartacus tries to stand up for his men. His men, in turn, stand up for him. When destiny calls, they answer.

That is the response we all hope for. It is also the moment we all fear.

No one wants to have to stand up to an existential threat and lay it all on the line. No one wants to act, knowing their soul and their destiny rests in their next breath, words, act. And yet, here we are.

In February of 2020, a letter to the editor published in The New York Times drew a parallel between the death of Kirk Douglas and the impeachment of Donald Trump. It argued that of the 53 Republican Senators, only Mitt Romney had answered the call and had his Spartacus moment.

Sadly, that sort of ratio sounds terrifyingly possible: one brave man standing up for what everyone knows is right. 52 Senators staying silent, knowing their silence endorses evil. 52 to 1.

Fortunately for the country, we the people don’t have to wait for the Republican Senators to stand up for us.

Sadly for us, it means that we all must — or get to — face our own Spartacus moment.

Your Spartacus moment? It’s now.

You can answer by joining BLM protestors.

You can answer by protesting in favor of the post office.

You can answer by voting early, so the impeached president’s disruption of the mail doesn’t keep your vote from being counted.

You can give.

You can shout.

You can write the White House, asking Trump to resign.

You can answer however you like, so long as you recognize the call, and say, “I am Spartacus!”

Greg writes, walks the dog, plays with kids, cooks, and teaches college. For more on Greg’s writing, visit his website: https://beattytales.com/