Silence Is Not Neutrality

Image Credit: Corgli

 I usually don't voice my opinion when it comes to controversial topics. I was taught that things like politics and religion are matters that should be kept private. We all have our own opinions and should respect the opinions of others. Recently, however, I have come to the understanding that remaining silent on these issues can cause harm as well.

  My new understanding has developed after many discussions about ethics in one of my master's classes. While the class focuses on ethics in the educational technology field, several issues regarding race, religion, politics, and police brutality have been brought up as well. Our class is composed of a rather diverse group of students, so there are multiple perspectives on these topics which I think are important to hear.

 Our professor made a statement that has really stuck with me: silence is not neutrality. When we choose not to say anything, we are only perpetuating the attitude, behavior, lifestyle, etc. that we are mute about. As an example, if you see someone being bullied and don't say anything, your silence implies that the bully's actions are acceptable.

 This mentality can be applied to numerous situations, like the all too many police-involved shootings of black men. If we stay quiet on these issues, are we suggesting that we don't see anything wrong with the situation? Perhaps that is the case for some. But for me, I am NOT okay with it. I am not okay will a lot of problems that I have remained silent on.

 One of the main reasons why I have chosen to remain silent on the issues surrounding these shootings is the fact that I'm white. And a female. I feel like I don't have a right to speak up on this crisis. And I have seen those that have spoken about this be criticized for it. Yes, I will never understand what it's like to be black. I have never experienced the persecution that they have. But that doesn't mean that these deaths do not have an effect on me. They do. People are getting killed. Father, brothers, husbands, good humans. This should make everyone mad. Just because I don't relate to the situation doesn't mean that I can't have feelings about it.

  A black student in my class also spoke up this same problem. She said that blacks who have not come from hardship or impoverished areas are also criticized for speaking out on this matter. Other blacks are telling them that they don't know what it's like. They are right, some may not. But again, they can still be affected by these shootings.

 I'm not saying that we need to jump all over each other on social media, that accomplishes nothing. It takes real courage to sit behind a screen and bash something we are uneducated about (heavy sarcasm). But we do need to engage in meaningful discussions and try to understand that we all have different backgrounds that make us who we are. Try to see where other, different people are coming from when they voice an opinion. Don't immediately discount what someone has to say simply because you don't agree.

 We are all capable of love. We are all allowed to be upset when someone is senselessly killed. We need to learn to rely and depend on each other, or this divide will only grow bigger.

There is no way to peace; peace is the way. - A. J. Muste