Speak your truth

I am struggling with when to speak up and when to stay quiet. It seems to me that a lot of bad stuff happens because people don’t speak up. They think what they have to say is obvious, and won’t change anyone’s mind. And that may be true, but the older I get, the more important I think it is to speak your truth. If you remain quiet while things are happening, people may assume that your quietness means that you agree with whatever is going on. That may be true sometimes, but it also may be that you are quiet because you are so appalled at what is happening that you can’t think of anything to say.

So, if you see something you don’t agree with, say something. Whether it is locking children up in cages, people telling inappropriate jokes, bullying, or anything else you don’t agree with, speak up. Other people may agree with you and take your speaking up as permission to do the same. Or maybe you will be the only one saying anything. It is important to speak your truth, even if no one else backs you up.

People who do bad things sometimes rely on your silence to allow them to continue. Don’t let your silence be misconstrued for agreement.