Every middle schooler was taught if you don't speak up when you see someone getting bullied, you're a bystander. By not speaking out to the bully, alerting an authoritative figure or helping the victim, you become a part of the problem. Your silence as a bystander condones the bullying. Perhaps as the middle school years are behind us, the bystander lesson has faded to the back of our minds; however, the concept is still very relevant. Silence is consent.
We are currently in an epidemic of self-centeredness. Millennials, as well as other generations are guilty of this. If something doesn't jive with our lifestyle, we don't associate with it. For example, the current presidential election has been exciting, to say the least, since the candidates first announced their campaigns. As the time for the election rapidly approaches, people are forced to make a decision. However, many have aired out that they would rather not vote at all than vote for Hillary or Trump. They would rather be a bystander to the current election rather than participate. Their self-centered action to abstain from voting because they simply don't like the candidates is equivalent to handing over their loyalty to whoever wins. Their silence is consent. This applies in many other situations.
"All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr, also elaborates on silence as consent. As an argument takes places between characters, Etienne and Madame Manec, Madame addresses the situation sternly.
"Isn't doing nothing kind of troublemaking? Doing nothing is as good as collaborating." Madame Manec
I couldn't have said it better myself, by doing nothing, by remaining silent, you are collaborating, aligning, associating, consenting. Silence is consent.
Now I am not saying "silence is consent" is a blanketed statement that can justify any or all situations. For example, in sexual behavior, silence is not consent. That would be sexual misconduct. Verbal, unforced consent is necessary in said situation, as there are other situations in which silence does not signal your approval.
Silence is consent when a choice can be made to speak out or take action. Silence is consent when someone choses to do nothing, to be a bystander. So step up, speak your mind and take action to what is happening around you. Do not stand victim to sliding by in life, unforced to stand up to the world because your silence becomes consent to the chaos happening among us. Being a bystander or doing nothing is equal to condoning or collaborating. Silence is consent, so speak up.
