“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." – Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
There are no dictators, only citizens who didn’t question the system. There are no bullies, only students who didn’t intervene. There are no monsters, only people who stay silent. Justice is important, but so is accountability. A society that values justice and allows indifference to thrive is a failed society. Those who watch from the sidelines looking at the oppressed experience injustice yet choose to do nothing are no better than the oppressor; because morality is not only what we do, but also what we fail to do.
The fabric of civilization is built upon two things: collective responsibility and moral accountability. Humanity functions based on the assumption that individuals will take responsibility not only for themselves but also for the well-being of others. However, we also function because of the principles we adhere to: those that transcend concrete laws and guidelines and those that lay their foundation on ethics and sympathy. We help the old grandma cross the street not because the law tells us to do so, but because we understand the need for help and intervention. We ask the person passing by how their day is going not because of a responsibility burdened upon us, but because we understand the impact of a simple gesture. Acts of kindness and moral sympathy are not dictated by obligation but by an innate understanding that our actions–or lack thereof—shape the world around us.
George Orwell, in 1984, explains the consequences of justice through inaction. He tells the story of a totalitarian party that not only establishes complete dominion over its people’s actions but also their beliefs and thoughts, dictating every rule and concept. “2 + 2 = 5” is Orwell’s way of illustrating how inaction allows oppression to thrive. The statement 2+2=5 is justifiably correct according to the law established by the party but is fundamentally incorrect and mathematically flawed. The citizens of 1984 do not fight back, not because they agree, but because they’ve been broken into compliance, proving that the most powerful form of control is not violence but passive acceptance.
MLK’s Letter from Birmingham Jail criticizes the “white moderate” for remaining silent rather than opposing segregation. For so long, the civil rights movement had been oppressed through violence, and only when they retaliated, did it become a topic in the discussion table. He calls out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders who claim that they only want peace when violence only started because of their refusal to act and intervene.
Even so, we must not be so quick to judge; social psychology explains that inaction is often driven not by indifference, but by fear and self-deception. The bystander effect states that the more people witness an event, the less likely an individual is to act due to the assumption that someone else will intervene. But is our silence truly a lack of responsibility, or is it fear? And if it is fear, how do we confront it? Jean-Paul Sartre’s concept of "bad faith" suggests that people deceive themselves into believing they have no choice, avoiding responsibility to escape discomfort. In oppressive regimes, speaking out can lead to real danger, but even in democratic societies, social pressure or fear of repercussions can make silence feel like the safer option. Many justify inaction by saying, “It’s not my responsibility.” Yet, one must question whether staying silent is truly beneficial for the justice system they live in. Inaction is not always intentional–but it is still a choice.
History has proven this time and time again. Silence is never neutral. The world is not shaped solely by the actions of the powerful, but just as much by the passivity of the silent. Every moment of hesitation, every excuse for non-involvement, every “it’s not my problem” –comes at a cost, but realizing it is the first step towards a positive change in society. The question is not just about the large-scale injustices but about the moments in everyday life where silence enables harm. How many times have we seen immorality and looked away? How many times have we witnessed corruption and let the wicked prevail? Morality is not only an abstract concept reserved for the philosophy books–it is lived and it is tested in the small decisions we make every day.
So what then? The answer is simple: act. Make choices that can alter the fate of injustice; intervene so that peace can have its victory; help so that humanity regains its reputation. It’s not just about what we do; it’s also about what we choose to ignore. Because in the end, the greatest failure is not in making the wrong choice–but in choosing nothing at all.
amazing! such a well-written piece.
Well done! such a well-put piece. Your statement "The world is not shaped solely by the actions of the powerful, but just as much by the passivity of the silent" is very meaningful to me. It's true that power is held by only a handful of men who control it, but most importantly, it's truly controlled by society. If we collectively speak up and intervene, we can do some great changes. Kudos to you! Hope to see you write more! <3