silence = violence

​It’s often a phrase that’s said, but not often delved into. How can silence often speak volumes? It’s quite simple. In almost every situation someone has the upper hand. In those situations one can choose to assert or not assert their privilege to assist someone in need. When situations turn evil, racist or discriminatory, how will you act?
In terms of race, white people have the majority. Why would they not speak up? In terms of LGBTQ rights, heterosexuals have the majority. Why would they not speak up? In terms of America’s population, women slightly edge out men, but men trounce women in powerful roles. Why would men not speak up for the rights of women?
I take particular issue with all of these because I am affected by them all. I am a black, heterosexual man living in America and each day living under 45’s presidency reminds me of how disillusioned and out of touch so many people are about the beauty of diversity and inclusion. Jobs understand diverse minds, ideas and backgrounds make a better product, but politicians and elected officials on a grand scale cannot seem to comprehend this.
The recent tragedy in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which one woman was killed after a man rammed his car into a crowd of people counter-protesting white supremacists put the spotlight on the way a large group of people feel. They are nervous of change and want to hold on to their whiteness as long as possible. The response by 45 in the wake of the incident was nothing short of expected, frustrating and sad. He did not call out a specific group until more than two days after the events, and instead chose to condemn “on many sides.” While 45 courts white supremacists and fascists in America, hate builds in the hearts of young and old people across the country. This is part of the silence.
There is silence on behalf of 45 to condemn racism. There is silence by a majority of white folks to call out their injustice that they witness each and every day or on the news. There is a neglect in the situation not relating to them. But they’re wrong. Silence equals violence in not speaking up for what is right. Innocent people die, hate continue to live and fester and, overall, America continues to live in the past.
We cannot continue to stay silent on injustice. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye. It’s on every decent human being to call out issues they see, they feel and they acknowledge because a better life for your neighbor is ultimately a better life for you.