Self-reflection: medicine for us all

This is in response to the column, “I saw the racist video. I knew exactly what it was. And I said nothing” (April 1). First and foremost, to the author of that column,  Denise Civilett, I say bravo! That was one of the most truthful self-reflecting essays I have ever read. That piece should be distributed nationally as a mirror for all to hold up and get a better view of their own reflection. 

Ms. Civiletti, you have done your share of not being silent, so please don’t allow any level of guilt to overshadow the unwavering truths that you have spoken in an effort to shed light on the social ills that plague the community. When the world says be quiet, you say “I will speak and share the truth.” There have been many others who have sat idly by and said nothing and continue to say nothing as the open and blatant practice of racism, sexism, and bigotry is spewed. So yes, speaking up is vital. Yet, I would like to know this: Is there really a difference between silence and insubstantial thoughts? 

To speak with no substance and with no intent of action behind it is like an empty space being filled with nothing but air. In other words, there’s no difference between saying nothing and nothing worth saying. 

Let’s be real. With all due respect, there have been certain committees birthed by the Town of Riverhead, like the Anti-Bias Task Force, that didn’t have any type of influence or power. It was just a body that spoke “knowingly” without effectiveness. 

The question is, what results have we seen produced by such committees as the Anti Bias task Force who have at times have spoken but said nothing?

A committee or task force brought into existence due to racial or religious bias, injustice, sexism, and other social discriminatory ills inflicted upon a select portion of the community. If we’re going to keep it real, oftentimes the victims are people of color. Yes, speaking up is priceless. However, if the “talk is cheap” — if it’s just mere words filling up an empty space for show, just to appease for the moment knowing that it doesn’t carry any substance, it doesn’t carry any weight, then that practice is no better than not saying anything at all. 

Weak wills are translated into speeches; strong wills are translated into deeds. When we speak up, we must speak with the intent of speaking something into existence. There has to be momentum behind those words. We have to make those words become tangible and visible things that people can see and bear witness so that they can see the words become manifested.

The practice and continuance of racial and religious tropes, memes, and dog whistles unfortunately have become somewhat of a normalcy so much so that we’ve become numb to it, it doesn’t surprise a lot of people when such divisive messages are placed before us in broad daylight even by the highest office in this land. 

So, Ms. Civiletti, I understand your self-reflection and I applaud you for it. However, these are the days that we are living in and you are not alone. There are numerous people out there who witness what’s going on, yet they remain silent. At least you had the courage and moral fortitude to express this self-reflection.

Yes, we should not be silent.  Racism, bigotry and sexism, all thrive in silence. Truth demands a voice, an active voice that expects nothing less than results such as justice, equality, and respect. If we are really angered by the racist antics of the current administration and those elected officials who are marching in step with this divisive climate, who remain silent, we can make our voices heard loud as hell come election time. We can let them know that their silence is no longer needed and let them bear witness that there’s power in a collective voice of action not rhetoric.