Taking Sides ...

A couple of months ago, I read a quote from Elie Wiesel that I haven’t been able to get out of my mind. “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

Last weekend I posted a semi-political video on Facebook. Someone I went to high school with responded with mean and nasty comments. She and I don’t agree on politics, policy, life choices or just about anything ... but I’ve never, ever posted something nasty on her Facebook page or anyone else's for that matter. I went back and forth about whether or not I should respond to her. On one hand, I didn’t want to give her any attention. But on the other hand, it’s not okay to scream and yell people because they don’t agree with you.

I respond to her for a single reason: 

“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

I’m not naive enough to believe that I what I might type here will change anyone’s mind, but I believe that staying silent helps no one.

I believe every voice, every person, every color, every sexual orientation, every everything matters. We should treat every person we meet with kindness. Even if we don’t understand or don’t agree with them, we can always extend grace and kindness to them.

I believe family and community are the keys to success. I don’t mean a traditional family. Your family can be whatever you want it to be, but everyone should have a tribe to love and be loved by. We should find a community to pour ourselves into.

“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

I believe what I say matters. I believe I'm accountable for my actions. And I know that my children are watching and learning from the things I say and do. All children are watching us and we have a moral obligation to teach them right from wrong.

I believe we are all on the same team and we should act accordingly. Offer help to others. Cheer each other on as the battle through life.

I believe in the value of service. Serve your country. Serve your community. Serve your family. Lose yourself in service and you will find greater joy than you ever thought possible.

“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

I believe every single child deserves a safe place to live, food to eat and an education. And I believe because I was blessed with all of those things I have an obligation to help those less fortunate than me.

I believe we don’t have to believe in the same God to find common ground. We can all believe whatever we what to believe and we should offer nothing less than respect to those who don’t share our beliefs.

I believe in First Amendment. Speak your heart, but don’t tear other people down in the process. We can all say our bit and that’s what makes America great.

“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

I believe you stand up for the people who can’t stand up for themselves. I believe you don’t sit back and watch as others are tormented or bullied.

I believe I can change the world I live in through hard work, love and compassion.

I believe that our strength is in our goodness.

“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

I believe love wins. Love always wins.