In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies,
but the silence of our friends.
—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Came across this quote and it hit me really powerfully.
It is too easy to excuse and rationalize our silence—or to pretend that there wasn't really any need for us to speak. Easy to think that the real battle will be another day, that it doesn't matter that we took the easy way out this time.
Privilege isn't just about doing what I want—it's about being able to completely ignore the impact my actions have on others.
If I only look at the impact of my actions when it pleases me to do so, I'm an unreliable ally. Worse than an enemy. Because you might grow to rely upon me and then one day when you really need me, I won't be there. And I won't even notice I've failed you.
No comments:
Post a Comment