To The Bystander
Start writing a post
Politics

To The Bystander

Why Our Lack of Action Speaks Loudly

15
To The Bystander
Zero Hedge

My life has been changing the past few years. I always grew up knowing that I needed to stand up for what was right. It was that simple. Just stand up for what’s right and everything will be okay. Except as you grow older life complicates itself. Loyalties, relationships and the grey areas of life make the right thing murky at times and being a bystander becomes a more viable option than being a leader. As I’ve grown older I’ve realized the true courage that it has taken throughout history to be the one that stands up for the right thing. While I could go on and on about why we should stand up for the right thing and throw an insufferable amount of clichés at you, I think there is more to be said to the bystander. The one that stands silent and lets their life go on as if everything is okay when it isn’t.

It’s easy to be the bystander. You feel alright because you didn’t necessarily do anything wrong, and you don’t really want to make a fuss. In fact, if you just stay silent and move on you don’t have to deal with the after effects and you can use the story as a reminder of what not to do. The problem is, it becomes more than just shutting up. Being a bystander is being compliant with the action. It becomes covering up to keep it away and it is a sign of deeper cowardice. One wishes to stay free of being bothered at the expense of others. There is a reason that bystanders are punished, there is a reason that watching and saying nothing is never okay, because it hurts people. Those who needed you to stand up for them when it was hardest, suffer the most because the bystander decided to simply watch and refuse action or voice to the victim. I am tired of silence when noise is needed just like I am tired of people making noise whenever they darn well please. When actual acts of injustice are happening and those who see it either say nothing or use the footage or incident for their personal fifteen minutes of fame, they continue to rid the victim of their voice. Please do not be silent for the sake of keeping a fake normalcy, for the sake of keeping a dreamland your reality. Please, don’t be the bystander. You don’t have to be the face of an issue, but you don’t have to be part of the problem either.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

41356
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

25914
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951261
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

134589
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments