On the moral obligation to speak up

[mousme]

This needs to be said, even though I'm pretty sure that my little corner of the internet doesn't intersect much with the much larger corner of the internet that has been in such turmoil lately.

Here it is: just because I am silent, does not mean I am not listening.

There is a certain virtue in understanding that one has nothing of real value or merit to add to a conversation (or debate, or topic), that has not been said before. There is a certain virtue in understanding that what one might have originally contributed is not necessarily right, or should even be said (again). There is a certain virtue in understanding that silence may be the best path to shedding preconceptions and arriving at a place of even better understanding.

I am silent, but not passive. I read, I think, I incoporate, and, ultimately, I learn. Sometimes, I think people underestimate this.

Comments

[tx-cronopio.livejournal.com]

Well said.

[bodhifox.livejournal.com]

If this is on the whole race issue, I'm just not commenting at all on it, anywhere. Except for this. I don't think you are passive.

[crowgirl13.livejournal.com]

I am silent, but not passive. I read, I think, I incoporate, and, ultimately, I learn. Sometimes, I think people underestimate this.

Exactly. I think people forget, in the heat of their own words, how many lurkers are out here. And how many people not online those lurkers know.

[owldaughter.livejournal.com]

Yes. Yes, exactly.

Well said.

[fearsclave.livejournal.com]

More importantly, you are not the problem, you are not at fault, and you have nothing to apologize for.

[tcaptain.livejournal.com]

I think the screamers underestimate this not because they want to hear an opinion, but because they want more talking heads to be counted for/against whatever it is they are yelling about.

In other words silent = your position is unknown = cowardice

Which is blatant stupidity of course...but we're talking flame wars here.

(I think we are anyway, I have no idea what its about, I've seen none of it)