In June of 2022 I posed the question, “What Keeps Us from Speaking Up?” At that time, I was blogging specifically about breaking the cycle of abuse. This year, I am taking that question a step further and exploring the silence of the silent majority.

 

The term silent majority refers to an unspecified large group of people who do not express their opinions publicly. Although it was popularized by President Richard Nixon in 1969, the term “can be traced back to the Roman writer Petronius, who wrote abiit ad plures (he is gone to the majority) to describe deceased people, since the dead outnumber the living.” (Source: en.wikipedia.org)

 

While the phrase continued to be used as a euphemism for the dead throughout most of 19^th century, Nixon was referring to Americans who did not join in the counterculture or demonstrate against the Vietnam war. The President saw this “group of Middle Americans as being overshadowed in the media by the more vocal minority.” (Source: en.wikipedia.org)

 

Emergence of Powerfully Assertive Forces

In 1970, Time magazine publisher, Roy E. Larson wrote, “In a time of dissent and ‘confrontation’, the most striking new factor was the emergence of the Silent Majority as a powerfully assertive force in U.S. society. Larsen described how the silent majority had elected Nixon, had put a man on the moon, and how this demographic felt threatened by “attacks on traditional values”.” (Source: en.wikipedia.org)

 

It seems the “Golden Age” of Silence post Nixon ended with the emergence of Covid.

 

In this new post-Covid world and age of revived social discontent, with peace, harmony, stability and prosperity disrupted once again, it seems there is no better time than the present for a reemergence of the Silent Majority “as a powerfully assertive force”.

 

So, What Keeps Us from Speaking Up?

Surprisingly (or not), the answers aren’t all that much different than the reasons it is so difficult for some people to come forward and report abuse.

 

Let’s start with the some of the basics from last year.

 

# 1) Potential Repercussions

Fear of retribution from slighted others who have different values, opinions or beliefs─ particularly when they have power over us─ such as job loss, continued unemployment and subsequent poverty are reason enough alone to silence the majority. This is especially true when one’s opinions differ from the majority as in the examples of Covid vaccinations or whistle blowing.

 

According to Committee for Children blog “Then & Now” author Joan Cole Duffell, “One of the biggest gaps in changing the trajectory of sexual abuse is parents being afraid to speak up.” No differently than reporting sexual abuse, “Getting adults to do the right thing in the face of potentially serious social and legal consequences is tough, so it’s equally important to train adults to not just be receptive, but to take action.”

 

When a person “has strong social-emotional skills, they have an even greater sense of personal agency to tell when something inappropriate has occurred.” (Source: www.cfchildren.org)

 

# 2) Lack of Personal Agency

When one has no strong social-emotional skills to deal with a situation, take action or express themselves long term they become like the tale of a boiling frog. They will likely stay in a negative/abusive environment until they boil to death. They do not instantly leap (or speak) out like a frog who is thrown into it, but learn to deal with the circumstances as an acceptance of their life as they know it.

 

#3) Fear of Embarrassing Oneself

Social-emotional skills involve recognizing, regulating and expressing emotions.

 

The inability to regulate emotions and express oneself in a socially acceptable manner may well make it even less likely that a person will express their opinions publically. In fact, one might easily imagine how anything but silence in a public setting may be embarrassing for those with a lack of social-emotional skills. Particularly when it is a subject one is passionate about.

 

The fear of embarrassing oneself may also stem from an unfamiliarity with the system one seeks to oppose.

 

# 4) Unfamiliarity with the System

As pointed out by my town’s local reporter, Steven Jupiter, at a recent Select Board meeting, it can be difficult for a person to speak up at a town meeting.

 

It’s hard to walk into a room full of people─ particularly a governing body─ not knowing what the procedures or rules are and know when it is appropriate to speak up… or to whom. Particularly if a person is shy or perceives themselves to be from a different─ and lower─ social class than the leaders.

 

Additionally, one might not even know where or how to make their opinions known publically.

 

#5) Lack of Appropriate Skills

One may even be fearful to write a letter to the editor of a local paper or email a select board member if one lacks the appropriate writing skills, as may be the case with the majority of working-class or low-income folks. In my town, there are grammar snobs who seemingly would rather shame someone’s technical writing skills than discern the content of a message or complaint.

 

For instance, during the recent 20 million dollar Segment 6 construction project, which was promoted as making “An even BETTER Brandon” by the chamber of commerce (Source: mountaintimes.info), a local resident painted this question on the front of their home: “Better for who?”

 

 

This photo was taken in July of 2018, during the heart of the project, which literally tore up the streets of our town for years making it nearly impossible for locals to navigate in the daily lives and failed to take into account Vermont’s whopping 14% disabled community. Town alterations were not ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.

 

However, as recently as March of this year, the only thing a prominent area citizen had to say about the message was “better for whom”, which leads me to the next reason the majority remain silent.

 

# 6) Shame

The fear of being judged is pretty deeply ingrained in our psyche. People keep their opinions to themselves as a matter of self-protection, particularly when they vary from the very vocal minority, the “Grammarly” or those in positions of power.

 

Even I myself have fallen victim to public shaming for my writing. I shared the experience during a reflection at church and blog post, “The Power of the Cross”. Click here to read about it.

 

# 7) Buzz Words

In this era of social enlightenment, it may be even more difficult for frogs, I mean individuals, to speak their truths.

 

I recently addressed this in an article published in my local newspaper, The Reporter: “Given this era of buzzwords and catch phrases that are all too frequently intended to impress rather than inform, native area residents may be feeling less than confident about projecting their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs, particularly working-class (or is it blue-collar?) citizens from the private sector who may not necessarily be hip to the latest trends nor care because their incomes are not reliant on words.”

 

It is of little wonder why differing opinions or abuses of power, corruption and “conflicts of interest” go unreported by the silent working-class majority. Perhaps a more appropriate question would be, how do they occur in the first place?

 

# 8) Expectations & Trust

Inexperience plays a role, not only in speaking up, but in recognizing when something doesn’t quite feel right. Also, trusting in the wrong person(s) to lead them. Good people have a tendency to believe what they are told. Truthful people seldom suspect deceit because they themselves are honest. Lies, tricks and deceit are unexpected.

 

Most people live by the Golden Rule and expect to be treated the same as they treat others. They are sent out like sheep among wolves. (Ref: Matthew 10:16)

 

# 9) Technology & Lack of Transparency

It is much easier to thwart conflicting opinions when things are not seen or publically displayed.

 

In this era of emails and technology, it is much easier for deception (and therefore control) to take place behind the scenes than ever. It’s much easier to fool a person or group via email than it is face to face. Text on a computer screen makes misinformation much less personal and might also make the guilty party feel less responsible than if the deception─ or lack of transparency─ occurred in person.

 

Whether it has to do with a public office or a non-profit agency, transparency is key in preventing misinformation through manipulation of facts, data or emotion.

 

# 10) Poverty (Financial or Spiritual)

Financial or spiritual dependence keeps individuals from speaking up to employers or spiritual leaders. In fact, those benefitting from or dependent on a particular system seem to be willing to go out of their way to silence the no longer silent, silent majority. Or to convince others to do so on their behalf. This I know through lived experience.

 

I tried to speak up against an illegal nonprofit loan last year. But when I, as moderator, asked if anyone would like an executive session one of the board members threatened to “punch in the face” anyone who asked for one.

 

The disingenuous have nothing to gain from the truth. Why would they want anyone else to speak up when all is going well for them?

 

No one in their right mind causes waves when its smooth sailing for them. Even if it is illegal, immoral or improper.

 

# 11) Experience & Rationalization

The person or system one has an opinion about often has power over them.

 

Often times, we have learned through personal experience that speaking up will cost us friends, opportunities for personal financial gain and popularity among our peers. Not to mention, piss off family members, friends, neighbors or our leaders.

 

It is difficult to willingly make waves when one is stuck in the boat with crew members who are likely going to be angry with them. Proverbial frogs will likely stay in the pot of hot water and continue to boil as the temperature slowly rises rather than risk rocking the boat or leaving the pot. They will tell themselves things like “It’s not that warm in here.”

 

People have a natural tendency to deal with their circumstances as an acceptance of life as they know it never thinking about future generations.

 

Conclusion

Unless America grows a conscience and starts thinking more about future generations than our own personal welfare or reputation, it is doubtful the majority will do little other than remain silent. One has to believe that speaking up for the greater good, for the good of all the other frogs in the boiling pot aside them and for future generation of frogs outweighs any embarrassment to them personally.

 

Survivor, it’s time to check your bravery meter. Face your fears and emerge.

 

 

May this blog post serve to give those currently holding their tongues, or with stilled pens, the courage to voice their opinions and resist the forces that are threatening our freedom, peace, stability and, of course, the prosperity we Americans love so much. Engage in public discourse, let your feelings be known.

 

It only seems fitting that in this “time of dissent and ‘confrontation’, the most striking new factor” should be “the emergence of the Silent Majority as a powerfully assertive force in U.S. society.”