“Our lives begin to end the moment we choose to be silent.”
Martin Luther King
To honor Dr. King in the swirl of our country’s backward (to me) steps for social justice, equity, charity and opportunities, I am going to break through my silence.
Today, I am looking at anywhere I have not spoken up, what I have not said for fear of reprisal or lack of skill to say it in a way to be heard.
Today I am looking hard at my choices for speaking up or being silent. In many cases, the issues are personal or related to my own work outcomes. With the larger societal issues, I feel part of a growing momentum recognizing urgency– that has given me more courage.
Asking myself these questions today. Where are the forums where I come forward and where do I step back? Is it easier on social media than in person? Does it matter on social media? Do I make a phone call or write an email? Sign a petition or write a letter to an official? Where will it matter or make any difference so it is worth risk of reprisal?
Today I am thinking about what silence I want to break on the day named for Martin Luther King. Maybe it will be just one opinion, view, bit of information or belief. Or one person I need to say something to. Or one place I need to speak up. Maybe I will be brave enough to say it all.
Whatever else I do tomorrow, I will honor Dr. King’s gift to us and find a way and a place to break through my silence for the sake of our well being and a life that matters.