In Allison’s essay, The South African Storm, Allison states that she is “not going to change anything” which, might be true but, she does have more to say then those simple five words. She believes that making the decision to do “small everyday deeds” (Gandalf), which goes against society’s teachings of what is proper, can truly change one’s definition of the word conscience. We, for one, forget that the need to wait for gestures of change of the people in power is not necessarily practical; politicians will not make change if not asked to do so. In his quote, Gandalf advises that change is made even with the help of “small everyday deeds of ordinary folk”. Furthermore, the changes that politicians make are considerably bigger than those of average people’s because they do affect everybody as a whole, at once. With that being said though, it does not signify small changes are not important as well; those acts of compassion and love are significant and must not be forgotten. What is important about Allison’s quote: “it’s a small, wasted gesture, but it’s an uncorrupted instinct that makes me feel human” is that she is doing what she thinks is suitable and not what society thinks is. She is certain that “convention misinforms our instincts” and convention is that “darkness” that must be kept at bay. To further implicate another real life situation with Allison’s thesis, Malala Yousafzai, a girl who advocates for girls’ education strongly quoted: “I raise up my voice-not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard […]” proving she went against the people who want to shut her up (the Taliban) and went forward with her own ethics.