We live in an extraordinarily noisy era of history. It seems as though every person and every cause is clamoring for our attention. With all this noise, for some it is impossible to be heard. The media has this tricky way of highlighting only those issues which they deem important, and each news station is as apt to be biased as the next. It is so easy to see this inequality of empathy, and so hard to hear those who desperately need our attention.

In this deafening world, there are some who are listened nearly all the time. Celebrities, politicians, and those in the public eye are the most obvious examples. And the wonderful thing is that many among these groups recognized the attention they are given, and use it to further the cause of those who are ignored. People like Emma Watson have become huge proponents for causes they believe aren’t getting enough dialogue. But even those with smaller voices can speak up to defend those who cannot defend themselves. Especially in issues of race and gender, there are so many who are written off as stupid, loud, aggressive, angry, as if these qualities are intrinsic in their DNA. This video is a perfect example. Why is it so important for their to be male feminists or white supporters of people of color? Hope. If someone who has nothing to gain from supporting a cause is speaking for it, those who it does affect are given so much hope that yes, somebody out there is listening. We aren’t just shouting, begging, pleading into a void.

Even within certain causes, there are groups that get ignored. Everyone has heard that women make about 80 cents for every dollar a man makes, but this is only true for white women. Black women make about 60 cents, and hispanic women a mere 55. That’s nearly 50% less pay for the same amount and quality of work. Therefore, it is not important for white women to merely further their own interests. Their sisters of color need help even more than they do. Feminism cannot just be for wealthy women in the majority. Trans women and women of color must be included, or the whole point is lost. Inclusivity is essential whatever the cause. For example, we talk endlessly of the dangers women face when leaving the house, how they constantly have to worry about harassment and fear every man. However, men who speak up about their own experiences with sexual harassment are told to be silent, that their thoughts do not matter. Yes, the thoughts and experiences of women are of the utmost importance, and statistically this is a danger from which they have the most to fear. But this does not make male victims any less important.

In some ways, it is as simple as what we learned in kindergarten. There is a time to speak, and a time to listen. Sometimes, it is someone else’s turn to be listened to. So sit with those in your life who are hurting. Listen to your LGBTQ+ friend as they express their struggles. Try to understand the racism your neighbor faces every day of their life. In a world as noisy as this one, sometimes all we need to do is to listen, do our best to understand, and when it is our turn to speak, speak not for ourselves but for those who have not been heard.