It is easy to stay silent
To watch intently from the quiet comfort of your home
Silence is an action
Taken either by those who hold their own tongues
Or silence is something forced upon others
Nonetheless, complete and utter silence results

But those who are silent, be not afraid
Your words and ideas are not trivial
For if you feel within your heart of hearts
The burning desire to break the silence
To scream and shout and ask "WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?"
Then you are steps away from breaking free

Silence is a choice
A choice made by those to escape
It is a quiet room where we have the privilege to stay safe
A choice made to stay away from arguments and confrontation

But hear this and hear well.
Silence kills
It killed the Native Americans,
It killed the slaves that built this country
It killed those seeking freedom
And it is actively killing those who need to be heard

Donate, go to marches, stand tall, and speak your heart
They will try to mock you for your words
And point fingers at you for your seeming inability to shut up
But if your words are so minuscule,
Then why do they wish for you to stay silent?

Speak up.
Or else silence kills us all.