Dr. King said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel said, "The opposite of love isn't hate, it's indifference. Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil."
Canon Law warns: "Silence gives consent."
Thomas Moore/"Come, Send Round The Wine"-1779-1852:
"Shall I ask the brave soldier, who fights by my side
In the cause of mankind, if our creeds agree!
Shall I give up the friend I have valued and tried,
If he kneel not before the same altar as me."
I spoke up and out against injustices I was witnessing in 21st century Chattanooga and "things that matter."
I refused to remain silent and indifferent. Although I was warned, even threatened at times to keep my mouth shut. It was those reasons alone, speaking out/speaking up against injustices taking place primarily against others, I found myself become the target.
I really don't care for the term "my community." I don't own a community. A community is too big for any one, two, three people or a group to own. I simply live in a community among others who may be different. Different in religious/none beliefs, race, class, levels of tolerance, flavors and shades. And I've always respected that . In fact, to me it's beautiful and what our nation is suppose to represent. But there have been times and pockets where others didn't share that philosophy and sought to remedy it through the process of elimination.
When some people are convinced they own something as big and wide as a community, they tend to start grouping together under similar likes/dislikes and shared beliefs to decide who belongs and who doesn't. Then the process of elimination begins. That's what I witnessed at the height of plans to gentrify targeted areas of Chattanooga, and even in the community I live. At times the approach was subtle. Other times it was hideous and brutal. That's how/why I became a target.
I could have remained silent and indifferent. March around the city once a year, listening to speeches and "pretend" all was well like so many others Like I was warned I should do. While chaos, suffering and turmoil were brewing behind the scenes. But how does that enrich any of us and make us a better people?
Some choose to remain silent because they've not yet personally been affected. Others, because they don't want to rock the boat. While the remainder are simply indifferent to the suffering of others as long as they're not personally affected/infected by it. I fall into none of those categories. And I'd like to think a great majority feel the same way.
Having a multicultural family, and not just "friends," I'm blessed to have always had their support and who share the same beliefs.
Brenda Washington