By Ettie Rutherford
Contributing Writer
“How can you just stand there? Why don’t you say something”? We have all heard these words, which are usually spoken when someone needs support and by-standers remain silent.
The Jewish community, traditionally ravished by various kinds of attacks, has always said, “It is not only the weapons of our enemies that have hurt us, it has also been the silence of our friends.”
Often there is silence because people are afraid of being criticized for speaking against an injustice. We need to realize that if we are to be agents of change, we need to not only stand up, we need to stand out and be comfortable making others feel uncomfortable.
Quite often I have been accused of being too vocal. To that I say, “What would you want me to do if you are the one who is being degraded?”
So, while not always knowing what to say when others are being treated poorly, just remember that your intervention, might be just:
> Saying that you disagree with the aggressors;
> Denouncing bullying, harassment, racism, sexism and homophobia;
> Sharing words of comfort with victims;
> Challenging decision-makers to realize the effects of their negative decisions.
Speaking up for others means that we are in good company, like Jesus, Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr.
In Sisterhood!
Award-winning Ettie Rutherford, B.Ed, Dip.Ed, M.Ed, is an educator, life coach, consultant and author of “Why Perch Like A Chick When You Can Soar Like An Eagle?”. An accomplished public speaker, Ettie is the Founder and CEO of Women Are Worthy, which provides step-by-step strategies for women to achieve their goals, with a minimum amount of stress. She can be reached at ettie@womenrworthy.com
