Submitted by PeterElias on Fri, 01/17/2020 - 12:58
My family, friends, and colleagues know I speak out or act up when I see something I think is wrong. When asked why, my usual answer is that I was raised to examine and question things, to seek information, to make up my own mind, and to always behave in a way that is true to my values.
This explanation is true but incomplete, as it fails to convey my belief that silence is a form of acceptance and can be tantamount to endorsement. I offer an anecdote from my childhood as an illustration of what I mean.
Submitted by PeterElias on Wed, 09/04/2019 - 06:00
Me (in my head): You should go for a run. Me (in my head): But it's raining. Me (in my head): What's your point? Me (in my head): But it's raining. Me (out loud): I should go for a run. Spouse: Why don't you? Me: It's raining. Spouse: Oh. Me: I used to like to run in the rain. Spouse: What changed? Me: I got older. Spouse: But what changed about running in the rain. Me: I don't relish discomfort anymore. Spouse: LOL. Pause...changes into running gear. Me (back from run in the rain): That was great!
