LGBT Community
Silence
First off, I’m not a “know-it-all,” but I know a lot. I’m sorry if that’s bothersome to a few people, but it’s who and how I am. If I come across as a person who feels he has to “impose” his opinion on a lot of things, it’s only because I have much to say or contribute to a particular subject.
For years, I kept silent about so many things I saw or heard around me. As much as I wanted to say something, there was always that “little voice,” inside that told me, “Don’t make waves.” Now that I’m older, I realize that my silence was the reason that some things, especially in my own life, never changed or even became worse. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” I think it was the first time I read these words that made me think about all the times I should have said something, but didn’t, and how my life might have turned out differently if I had just spoken out. I have no real regrets, because I also believe that, “everything happens for a reason,” and that my own silence all those years was bringing me to exactly where I am now.
I try to remain conscious of what to speak up about and what to leave alone, but often my passions take over where my common sense should have prevailed. Still, I think I’ve grown enough, especially in the past few years, that I rarely cross the line between criticism and cruelty.
I wrote this because lately I’ve gotten a sense that people feel I express myself a bit too much. I may, at times, so if it bothers you, I guess I really don’t know how to respond, except to say – People may criticize you for your words, but will inevitably hate you for your silence.
For years, I kept silent about so many things I saw or heard around me. As much as I wanted to say something, there was always that “little voice,” inside that told me, “Don’t make waves.” Now that I’m older, I realize that my silence was the reason that some things, especially in my own life, never changed or even became worse. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” I think it was the first time I read these words that made me think about all the times I should have said something, but didn’t, and how my life might have turned out differently if I had just spoken out. I have no real regrets, because I also believe that, “everything happens for a reason,” and that my own silence all those years was bringing me to exactly where I am now.
I try to remain conscious of what to speak up about and what to leave alone, but often my passions take over where my common sense should have prevailed. Still, I think I’ve grown enough, especially in the past few years, that I rarely cross the line between criticism and cruelty.
I wrote this because lately I’ve gotten a sense that people feel I express myself a bit too much. I may, at times, so if it bothers you, I guess I really don’t know how to respond, except to say – People may criticize you for your words, but will inevitably hate you for your silence.
Comment
About
© 2009 Created by MisterMayor on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
You need to be a member of Gay City Citizens to add comments!
Join this Ning Network