Silencing is the method for stopping voices from speaking up and out. Silencing is the tool of those who strive for power over all other voices. This is an ancient method that has proven itself over time. It starts with the small things: keeping your thoughts to yourself to avoid an unpleasant conversation or an argument. Then, when it comes time to say something that nobody else will, keeping silent becomes a way of being complicit. Follow that with outright refusal to say what you think for fear of reprisal and pretty soon, keeping silent is a way of life.
The bigger silences come when the powers to be or wannabe challenge every other voice around. The usual tactic is through fear and intimidation. Threats, whether idle or not, have the effect of silencing truthsayers or naysayers which amounts to anyone who disagrees. These days we are all witnesses to the silencing of our own judicial system that seems to be at odds with its own mission of truth and justice for all. Instead what we hear is one overarching voice that speaks louder than all the rest through a “bully” pulpit, never more aptly named and used for all its worth. This “in your face” attitude has been met with total impunity which has the effect of corroding the checks and balances of our Democracy. That, is exactly the point! I heard recently from a woman in England, an American expat, that she has been thinking about moving back to the States to work on the political campaign. It caught me up short. Haven’t I been thinking about getting out of here “in case things go bad” in the 2024 election? Self-silencing is the most resounding silence of all. We are all guilty of it.
When this blog is posted today, it will be my 40th over the span of 10 months. My original intent was to begin a dialogue. I have not managed to engage more than a handful of dedicated readers. Each week I have tried to offer thought-provoking ideas that would spark a conversation. It has not turned out that way. I feel like a lone voice in the wilderness calling out for someone to answer. . . where are YOOOOOOU? I have been asking myself why that is? The answer is not going to come from me alone.
At first I was reluctant to publish beyond my own sphere of email contacts. Truth be told, I dared not invite violent responses. When nothing came back, I took a bigger step out onto the limb and published the blog live through my own social media accounts. The number of readers increased exponentially and broadened beyond "sea to shining sea". Even so, the comments did not rise above sea level. I went all out and wrote more openly about events that impact all of us. One person responded to me privately that my take on events was "way off base" and asked to be dropped from the list. Fair enough, I'll take it, I can take it. I welcomed her honest feedback. But, the dialogue stopped there. If only she had engaged other readers by adding her voice to mine. Surely, someone else would have had a word or two to say. I won't belabor the point because I have nothing to draw from but my own conclusions. It has been suggested to me that many people knowing that voices on the internet last forever do not want to have their own comments out there for any number of reasons. Fair enough. Let's just say, if that is the case, dear readers, we are silencing our own voices, and in my humble opinion is the most egregious silencing of any and all to come from those who ruthlessly seek to hold power over "America the Beautiful".
Some years ago, I was among others singing in the Tanglewood Music Shed overlooking the beautiful Berkshire Mountains of Western, Massachusetts, my home state. On that perfect summer afternoon, we all shared our voices by singing "America the Beautiful". It lingers even now in my mind as it did over the hills as a reminder of a lovely counterpoint to raising our voices in protest. Voices shared matter, no matter how we choose to do so.
At the end of April I will stop writing this blog not out of frustration or as a way of silencing my own voice. Words alone will not stop this rising tide against Democracy in our homeland. More action is required. In other countries, in other times when dictators seized control, the "resistance" rose up when voices were meant to be silenced. I often wondered whether I would have joined them. Sadly, there is no need to wonder any longer. The time has come here at home. America herself is on the edge of failing rather than living up to her "crowning good" of brotherhood and sisterhood. The resistance must drown out those with the megaphones using their voices against those. . . "who more than self, their country loved. . ." and who refuse to have our voices silenced.
So sorry to hear you will no longer be writing. Perhaps I contributed to this by not responding, although I have been an avid reader of each blog.
The idea of being silenced resonates with me. I was recently talking with a friend and shared that I rarely reveal to people that I am Catholic, or even a Christian...because I'm tired of being harangued by the assumptions people make about me. I don't fit into a box: Democrat, Republican, conservative, liberal. I have views on ISSUES but they cross the spectrum. The world is not black and white but the media and particularly social media encourages us to see it that way: us and them on any issue. It's hard to even find out what the truth of any statement even is. Every day I watch a liberal news station and a conservative news station. Eve…
I must say I have admired your perseverance with your blog. It certainly has prompted much food for thought for me. "Group health is even more significant than that of individual health." M. Scott Peck, M.D. He refers to the principles of community. That is the principles of healthy communications within and between groups. Many recent TED Talks point out the influence of our respective hand held devices crushing our ability to unlearn reliance on these devices and move toward learning the simple art of listening to the spoken word, hearing it, processing it, reflecting on it and then responding thoughtfully. We have become conditioned to respond hurriedly. The individual members of any group may be healthy enough to lear…