Talk Black: “Silence is Consent”

First and foremost, it is great to be back and to engage with you again on the Spectacular Magazine digital platform with this column, Talk Black.  Your thoughts and ideas are critical to the sense of community we strive for, appreciating and facilitating the healthy exchange of ideas that can move us, our families, and our communities forward.  As we know it takes all of us to win, by working and strategizing in whatever effort will help our communities.  

Due to COVID and the variants, we have in some ways lost many traditions and community institutions while developing others out of necessity.  We’ve recognized the value of many service workers, emergency service workers, and government workers that we previously took for granted.  But our appreciation is for these workers was too late for many of the 4.5 Million workers who resigned up until the holidays.  

It is noteworthy that 35% of education positions nationwide are vacant causing further ripples throughout our lives and communities.  All of this has compelled us to take steps consciously or unconsciously to rebuild old communities as well as create communities with new businesses, new jobs, and new education methods.  So much to learn and do while trying to stay abreast and I hope we can help each other navigate these challenges successfully.

“See Something, Say Something” was the montre in the communities for many years as it relates to community watch and crime prevention efforts.  It was woven into the daily dialogue of neighbors, community organizations, law enforcement, educators, clergy and practiced in virtually all venues where people came together.  From adults telling neighborhood children crossing the street in the middle of the block to go to the corner for their safety to scoutmasters and sports league coaches teaching leadership and character, we were purposefully engaged.  Many volunteers made efforts to make the quality of life better no matter what the neighborhood’s average income.   When they saw something, they said something, but even more, they did something.  What an example of what we can and should do.  The option to do nothing is no longer available.  

In the military, there is a saying, “silence is consent” that puts the duty on everyone who hears an order or directive.  It means that if you hear something being said that is incorrect or inaccurate it is your DUTY to all others to take immediate action to correct the statement, information, or action.  This specifically defined and enforced duty to each other sets the military apart from most civilian organizations and institutions. 

But this specific duty to act in the best interest of others is needed in today’s life.  Our future generations will ask what we did at this time when we faced these challenges, but these times are so critical that we can’t wait until later generations ask and inquire. So in future Talk Black columns, we will discuss specific actions you can take to rebuild and reinforce our communities and institutions and I invite you to provide ideas and courses of action to do just that.  

Our laser focus will be to move to effective action and avoid being stuck in conversation.   This will be what I call an “Informative Action” partnership.  You and I will exchange ideas and information to give us optional paths to action and then we will challenge each other to take the action and learn from the outcomes.  We’ll report into this public forum what worked and we won’t be afraid to learn together and to fail together so we can ultimately succeed together.    This will be an ongoing effort, so take your time and think about it and give all of us your best ideas.  We’ll be your focus group and your resource for the journey.  I’m excited for the possibilities that are ahead when we understand and use the policies we already have in place to the greatest extent.  Let’s go get it together.