- Please write about it in your journal.
- Please comment to this post (you can use what you write in your journal, or share a shorter version)
- Please post to your blog about it (title: MY AMERICAN VOICE) -- you can share what you wrote in your journal, you can think out loud about the democratic process we use in this course, you can think about other situations in which you have had to decide whether to speak up or stay silent, or you can add to the topic by adding your own flavor. Please make sure to use at least three of the principles you learned by reading "The Art of Hosting Good Conversations Online" and please get at least five people to comment to your post. You can share your blog link via text/email/social media, you can find other members' blogs and comment to theirs with a link to your own, or you can invite people the old-fashioned way-- walk up and ask them in person! :)
MY AMERICAN VOICE
When is it important to speak up, and when is it important to observe quietly?
I'm feeling conflicted and I'm interested in your perspectives. I noticed that this year's course blogs just tipped 42k page views. I feel a responsibility as an American teaching a course with the word "American" in the title. Much of the literature we read focuses on political action and self-actualization. I am aware that we are in the final month of a presidential election that has very big consequences. I am also aware that public school teachers are discouraged from expressing opinions about politics in view of students.
So: when do you speak up? Do you consider it a responsibility or an inconvenience? Do you speak up when you see someone weak being bullied or abused by someone strong? Do you speak up when you see someone taking out their temper on another person? Do you speak up when you see someone cheating (in school or in a relationship)? Do you speak up when you see someone being unkind?
How do you speak up? Are your words necessary, true, kind, and timely? Do you think before you speak? Do you reflect on your words after you say them? How would other people describe the way you talk?
There is no right or wrong here. There is no "how to" lesson. This is an opportunity for all of us to learn from each other. I'm interested in your thoughts. My prediction is that we will all learn something important.
Yo, I'll respond to this in bullets. Hopefully what's cool:
ReplyDelete*Speaking up is important when staying silent isn't helping a situation or cause. Basically, if something is causing a problem, it's our responsibility to speak up, especially when no one else is willing to do so.
*When it comes to someone being bullied, hell yeah I speak up! When it's someone taking out his/her temper on another person, I also speak up. In all the situations listen above, I speak up, or at least try to.
*This is something that's probably super awful, but often times, my words aren't kind. I have a bad temper at times, which is a bad trait to have in my opinion. Sometimes, if the problem persists, I think more about my words and how to get to the person or thing causing the problem. I definitely reflect after I speak up. I think people that know me can say that I have a pretty bad temper at times, but I do try to reason with people as much as I can :))))))
*that's *listed
DeleteI apparently can't spell this morning :))))))))
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ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I think speaking up is right when someone is saying something wrong or insulting others. I don't like when people talk bad about others, especially when it's not true stuff. That's when I usually speak up the most than other occasions. I feel that it's my responsibility to stand up for others when the rest don't. I know I don't have but I still do. I usually speak up when I see someone taking out their temper, but I always think before I speak. I want to know what to say, and the right words that person should hear. The right words always help a person think differently about stuff. It's the magic of words.......🙌 The only times I will usually not speak up or mention anything about it, is when a person is cheating on their girlfriend/boyfriend. If mention anything about it.......I feel like I would hurt that person. Something about me, is that I don't like hurting others. That's something I would never do, that's is just not me.....🙂 Words can be kind, harsh, mean, etc.... it all depends what you say and when you say it.
ReplyDeleteI think speaking up is VERY important, especially when there is some kind of injustice or someone is saying something hurtful to either you or to someone else. Everyone has a voice or things to say and our feelings should not be kept bottled up inside. Yes, we should think about what we say before we say them but we should not stay silent regardless of how shy we are because it's not fair to let people treat you or someone else however they want to.
ReplyDeleteNice linda. I would really love to HEAR your voice more.
DeleteI personally need to work on when I speak up. I tend to always speak up, even when it's inappropriate to do so. I know when I shouldn't but when something comes to my head it comes out of my mouth.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking up is a responsibility we all have especially when it comes to protecting others who are afraid to protect themselves. If someone is being bullied it is a moral duty to speak up and defend the person who is being bullied. Wouldn't you want someone to do that for you?
In my opinion I think you should speak up in any situation that goes against your values. You don't have to be rude or even try to debate. You just have to let it be known there is another opinion and you'd like it to be taken into consideration. Sometimes people just need to hear things from a different perspective. They don't necessarily need to argue they just need another view, and by stating your opinion they are given that chance.
Although I'm all for speaking up, there are definitely sometimes when speaking up is not okay. You shouldn't speak up when it isn't your place. When others are having a conversation that doesn't involve you, your opinion or you speaking up is wrong. Also you shouldn't speak up when others are only trying to help you. If someone has nothing but good intentions you shouldn't speak up. Take in their advice and go on about your day. Other than that I say, heck yeah speak up. Use your voice; you have it for a reason. Be bold and put that voice to work. Make a change, do something great.
Oops I didn't realize how long it was. Sorry
DeleteI believe speaking up is INDEED important. Us people, that speak up are the voice of those who are being mistreated,insulted,put down, anything along those lines. People who speak up are a sign that we care about other people that are being hurt emotionally,or physically. In my view of speaking up I would say I show a diffrent person than usual. I show anger, loudness,and explicit wording that I use. I'll speak up for anyone who's being hurt physically or emotionally.Its always good to speak up but not in certain cases. For example during our Labor Day weekend my parents and I took a trip to LA and visit family. We always make stops at liquor stores and grab some snacks and drinkson the way,that day we arrived to LA and went to a liquor store,we were ready to pay and we were waiting in line. Infront of us were young men,colored men. I noticed they were buying liquor under age without I.D's and one of them,on the left sneakingly stole some device to smoke and I did not speak up. What could have happend if I did speak up? What I have been thanked?, hurt?,parents in danger? I felt in this situation I did not want to speak up because I felt unsafe in the atmosphere we were in.
ReplyDeleteA huge component is knowing what to say. People often hold back and say nothing, when it really needs to be said. It could be when someone weak is being bullied or abused by someone strong, someone taking out their temper on another, when someone is cheating in a relationship or school, or someone is just being barbarous. Many people are afraid to speak up, they don't want to look foolish in front of many. Many think that hiding their voice is a wize decision to avoid a conflict, but it's not.
ReplyDeleteI for one think that speaking up is important, it's the right decision. Being silent won't help in the situation. It takes courage and responsibility to speak up. Many should speak up during a situation, be more than a bystander. Speaking up creates a major difference. In situations like someone being bullied, unkind, hot headed to someone, I speak up. I may look like a quiet person but when it comes to this i'm a whole different person. When I speak up I show anger. Ultimetely, speaking up is important than having to sit back and be silent when something needs to be told.
I strongly believe that everyone's voice is important but sometimes it is very hard to led your voice be heard if you are a shy person. That can sometimes and most of the time suck because shy people have ideas that we will never know because they are not willing to speak up. For example sometimes when teachers ask questions I answer them in my mind because I'm too scared that I will answer the question out load and embarrass myself because it is wrong. The teacher or a student says the answer and that is the same answer that I was thinking of. It is very important to hear everybody's opinions and thoughts because they hide ideas that maybe someone else can't or doesn't think of. SPEAK OUT LOUD, WHAT'S THE WORSE THAT CAN HAPPEN?
ReplyDeleteSpeaking out is important. However, people mostly think of the consequences of speaking out instead of the rewards that it brings. Many people want to do the good thing and speak out, but they're afraid that if they become involved, they'll become humiliated or bullied. Personally, I'm not very good at speaking out which is something I'm always trying to fix. Most of the time, I also say things before I think. This usually makes me reflect on what I say afterwards.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking up is hard to do for a person that doesn't like to hurt other people's feelings. Yes speaking up for a person being bullied is a different. But actually telling someone what they're doing/ saying is wrong is a different story. For example, I act very respectful around others and don't necessarily speak rudely to others. I do happen to know people that speak to people quite impolite. Although no matter what they do I can't find it in me to speak out about it.
ReplyDeleteOther things such as cheating on a test, I do sort of speak up on it. I usually don't speak up on it at that exact moment seeing as I am a bit shy person. When all the students leave after class I speak to the teacher. Now cheating on a relationship and speaking about it is a different story. You see the person you tell all this information to will not always believe you and will tell you that you're being "fake". It usually results in the lost of a friendship and the cheater getting away with it. On the contrary, the friend will believe you sometimes and will appreciate you saving them from the vile human.
When I honestly speak up, my words are kind in a timid voice. It basically looks very innocent, yet it is innocent and caring. I try not to hurt people because I knew if I was acting in a wrong way I wouldn't like to be feeling punished, I'd rather want to have a "talk".
Speaking up is not a good thing!!! ehhh just kidding. Personally i feel that it all depends on the person weather they speak up or not. A lot of people say "Oh yea if i see someone getting bullied i'll speak up on the spot"..... BOIIII please.. Most people speak up when it affects them. But there are those people that would actually speak up for the right reasons. I speak up, but when i do i say whats on my mind, it is not always nice or kind, i just try to get my point across. OF COURSE i would say something is someone is taking out there anger at someone else, because that is just wrong! It is also really annoying tbh.... I could care less if someone is cheating on a test. they are only affecting themselves i don't need to enter myself in a problem that will soon have consequences of there own. Wait Wait Wait... if someone cheats in a relationship well boiii i will say something because feelings are something that don't F@#* with. I always think before saying. i have to choose the right words.
ReplyDeletehad to end it short time ran out....
Speaking up is very important when you want your voice to be heard. I consider speaking up a responsibility because if you want your opinion to be put out there, people need to hear what you think. I do speak up when I see someone being bullied because it's not right to pick on someone who is vulnerable, sometimes they cant help it. When I see someone take their temper out on another person I usually try to avoid because I don't know the reason for losing their temper and frankly, its not my business. I cant say I have seen anyone cheating in s a relationship, but in school I have seen it, but I have chosen to ignore because it happens so often I dont even care anymore.
ReplyDeleteI think that it's important to speak up when you see something wrong is happening, such as standing up for for someone that is being bullied. But then again, when something is that does not concern you at all, you should just keep your comments to yourself and keep your distance if needed
ReplyDeletespeaking up is only useful when necessary and appropriate. speaking up is only important when you are trying to get your opinion across in a respectful, impactful, and appropriate way. speaking up isn't going to make a difference if you're just trying to start another argument, more chaos/drama. it will only make a difference if you're defending someone or something.
ReplyDeletefor example, take bullying as an example; if you speak up for someone who is constantly being bullied and made fun of, OF COURSE it is going to be an appropriate time and cause. there is a right way to speak up and a wrong way as well. in some cases, people don't speak up and they are left in the dirt. take school for example. if you don't understand a certain subject or concept, but you don't speak up, then you will never get help. DO IT FOR THE BETTER OF YOURSELF!
I think speaking up is a responsibility. I will always speak up for someone being bullied, in trouble, hurt, when someone's taking out their temper, and sometimes cheating. I won't stick my 2 cents where it doesn't belong, not side busting into anyones life here, but definitely speak up for someones well being. Unfortunately, I don't always care about what's going on with me just that everyone else is okay. I don't always have the best temper, I'm blunt, which can be considered rude, and abrupt, but I would rather someone get the truth and hurt (if need be) now than wait and know later. Pure honesty works best for me.
ReplyDelete