When silence speaks volumes

“To say nothing is saying something. You must denounce things you are against, or one might believe that you support things you really do not.” ~Germany Kent

As today’s quote suggests, silence can be misinterpreted. This got me thinking about a variety of complicated situations — including politics. (Don’t worry: I’m staying bipartisan here.)

Recently, some friends and I agreed that when people refuse to discuss politics, we often assume that their beliefs and opinions don’t align with ours. Or maybe they don’t know us well enough to share their truth. Otherwise, they’d speak up, right? We could be wrong, of course. But speaking from experience, I’ve learned that others who share similar viewpoints (on any topic) love to compare notes and ideas. After all, we’re more comfortable with others when we can safely express ourselves.

On a larger scale, silence has dangerous consequences when it aligns with complicity. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.” 

Yes, there are times when remaining silent can be our wisest choice and best defense. But sometimes silence leaves a lingering ghost of doubt and an awkward distance between us. ~CL