In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Are you having difficulty getting heard? Being drowned out? Facing criticism? As much as your critics count you may have more to fear from silent friends, or rather the silence of friends in important public debates.
It’s frustrating when you feel that your voice has not been heard. It is even more frustrating when your arguments are misrepresented, or even dismissed, by antagonists to take and entrenched position, all are unprepared to accept the possibility that they might be wrong. The people who only want to hear views that are similar to their own. You can’t even have an informed discussion. Blocked so you cannot be heard.
But where are your friends? Your supporters in the debate?
Think of it in another way. Have you ever seen somebody in difficulty trying to make a point or express a view or argue a case in the face of unreasonable and at times uncharitable attacks? What have you done? Have you joined the fray? Or do you remain silent?
What happens when we remain silent? When we remain silent we encourage continued isolation from the facts.
Continue reading “What happens when we remain silent?”