Silence in The Time of Chaos and Cries
By Sumit Paul, New Age
Islam
19 August
2024
Rajmohan
Gandhi's 'The Deafening Silence Of A Noisy
Nation'
makes one think. It's the calculated and most opportunistic silence (of a
powerful nation or group) that hurts the most. This reminds me of Dr Martin
Luther King Jr's two epochal quotes on the shrewd silence: " Our lives
begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter " AND the
immortal, " In the end, we'll remember not the words of our enemies, but
the silence of our friends."
"Our
lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter,"
serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of remaining passive in the
face of injustice and inequality.
King
understood that complacency and silence only serve to perpetuate societal
problems and hinder progress. He encouraged individuals to actively speak out
against injustice, discrimination, and the issues that truly matter.
By taking a
stand and advocating for change, we not only fulfil our moral responsibilities
but also preserve the vitality and meaning of our own lives. This quote serves
as a call to action, urging us to use our voices to make a difference and
create a world that values equity, compassion, and justice.
"In
the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our
friends," encapsulates the significance of standing up against injustice
and the power of passive complicity. King understood that the true measure of
friendship lies not in words of support but in the willingness to confront and
challenge oppression in unity. By highlighting the consequences of remaining
silent when witnessing wrongdoing, he inspires individuals to re-evaluate their
roles as allies. King's words serve as a potent reminder that we must strive to
eradicate complacency and actively support causes that promote equality and
justice for all.
A powerful
nation, group or people's silence is utter insouciance. It's cold- shouldering
despite being able to offer one's shoulder to a distressed one to lean and cry
on. Political silence kills empathy and a sense of universalism.
'Let them
suffer for, they don't belong to us' is (undesirable) political astuteness. It
belies your love for the neighbour(s). To be silent is to be indifferent.
Nothing hurts more than indifference because throughout history, it has been
the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who
should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered
most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.
Looking
askance when your neighbour or friend expects just a word of consolation and
nothing more is anything but humanity. Silence in the time of chaos and cries
is not just individual indifference, it's collective insensitivity and
institutionalized ruthlessness. Sadly, we're all witness to it and are equally
responsible.
------
A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in
comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed
articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including
Persian.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/silence-chaos-cries/d/132976
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