“The Absence of a Voice is the Acceptance of Something”

 

I’m perplexed by the silence of those who recognize wrongs in the world around us but say (or do) nothing about it.  

 

 

Consider this, maybe silence is more powerful than the shouts and chants of a protester? Do those who remain silent realize their silence can produce a powerful effect, whether intentional or unintentional – is it the failure of a voice to speak up that promotes a wrong? Is it the silence of a society that tolerates, ignores, or is indifferent that amplifies the acceptance of a wrong in the world around us?   

 

 

“The Sound of Silence”, is a song by Simon & Garfunkel, written by Paul Simon in March of 1964 – Simon wrote the song when he was 21 years old, explaining that it was written in his bathroom, where he turned off the lights to better concentrate and close out the noise of the world around him – the motives and message of the song’s stirring lyrics and haunting acoustic guitar has been applied to many challenges and struggles around the world.

 

 

The symbolism of the “Sound of Silence” is also taken to represent cultural alienation associated with much of the 1960s – activist’s movements of the 60s adopted the phrase “sound of silence” to be associated with the detachment experienced with impersonal large governments, abuse of individuals or people groups, injustice, and oppression – the song has been used throughout the years, and even today in movements and protests to mark the criticality and harm that comes with remaining silent in the face of obvious wrongs. 

 

 

The world we live in will always have hate, injustice, and oppression – the world will also have those who embrace and profit from these wrongs – it will not matter how much of society speaks out against these wrongs, as long as there is a greater portion of society that remains silent – their silence is more powerful because the sound of silence also makes a point, leaves a mark, and sends a signal.

 

 

The absence of a voice is the acceptance of something (good or bad) – what is our nation accepting – what does our silence tell the world about us? 

 

 

I pray we always take great care with our silence.