dare to be different

It's very easy to collude with a consensus view. It's hard to stand up and say what you think when others might ridicule you, gainsay you or ignore you. It has been said that evil happens when good men and women do nothing - what is often referred to as the guilt of the onlooker or bystander. I guess today I am reflecting on the rising number of women describing experiences of sexual harassment involving a certain Hollywood celebrity. This is not new and yet, somehow, it has gone on, under the surface in many place for decades. I am not allocating blame, but the conspiracy of silence has led to untold damage to the lives of many young women. Once you know something, you can't unknow it. So, is there something that you know, that you believe in, that you feel important to say, but fear ridicule, being demeaned, being ignored?  Perhaps it would be an idea to get one other, like minded person to stand with you. The power of a few voices can be significant, I would argue disproportionate. In the words of Margaret Mead "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."