Post Midnight Musing

[donell@moscow.com (Don Roskovich)]

Lori Keenan's post of Wednesday, 28 October regarding the sermon delivered
by the Trinity College chaplain is a very thought provoking piece that has
been returning to haunt me since first reading it.  What would cause
individuals to choose silence when faced with obvious wrong-doing or an
injustice toward another?  Indifference was one choice...but fear was the
choice that kept entering into my mind.  Fear of what?  Fear of personal
safety....fear of retaliation if you speak out?  Fear of ridicule for your
belief....or maybe fear for the security of your employment.  What a
terrible thought....living in fear.  And at what price?  Silence does
nothing but create an environment that nurtures injustice and empowers
bullies to continue.  Silence can even imply that you agree.  Phrases creep
into our everyday conversations and slowly we become immune to what is
really happening around us.  How do we react when a good friend proudly
shows off her garage sale bargain by announcing she "jewed the price
down"...?  Do we find this acceptable?  It is fairly easy to let a friend
know you're offended.....but what if the offensive behavior is coming from
those in authority?  How easy it is then to feel powerless....and let fear
take over.

So how does all this relate to us and our community....or does it at all?
Do we believe "silence is golden" or do we recognize silence as a possible
sin of ommision?

If you missed Lori Keenan"s post the first time around, look for it in the
archives.....it's worth the time and effort.  

                                           Ellen A. Roskovich