Speaking Out

Rough Start

Growing up a shy introvert, speaking out has always been hard for me. In high school, our English classes would have book discussions where our grade was determined by our participatory comments. Each student was usually required to make at least two comments. I loathed these discussions. I was perfectly willing to take a zero rather than make a silly comment just to get a check mark. I distinctly remember one day in Junior AP English class when we had one of these dreaded book discussions. I was the only one left in the class who had not received two check marks. The teacher knew this and indirectly called me out on it. The classmate sitting next to me was BJ Symons. (He would go on to play QB for Texas Tech with a brief stint at the Houston Texans.) He was trying to help me out and told me to "Just say something!" I refused.

While I have come a long way since high school, speaking out is still not natural for me. I feel it is a challenge that continues to confront me with increasing difficulty, but a challenge I feel I am supposed to continue to overcome. In law school I had to stare down this fear of speaking out every day in classes where professors are not always forgiving and do not always ask easy questions. It is the same today. I face judges who like to argue and call you out on your shortcomings. Again, while I have come a long way, I feel more challenges await that will continue to test my ability and courage to speak out.



Religious Freedom

When I was in Kansas City a few weeks ago for a legal conference, there was a panel discussion on religious freedom. In the past several years we have seen an erosion of religious liberties and expression. The panel discussion referenced the Hobby Lobby case (a suit against the federal government mandate to provide contraceptives, including abortifacient drugs, in employee insurance plans - arguments to be heard by the US Supreme Court later this month) and the NM Photography case (a suit against a photographer who declined to photograph a commitment ceremony between a same-sex couple as it violated her religious beliefs - NM courts said she must pay a fine for refusing). 

During the course of the discussion, one panelist focused on the need to speak out. He said those that are chipping away at religious freedom and expression are not afraid to speak. They do so loudly and employ all manner of social media. They call supporters of religious freedom bigots and use intimidation. After all this, he says, what do we hear from the other side? Nothing but crickets chirping. No one wants to be called a bigot but we must speak up. He referenced a case in his home state of Kansas. He said that state legislators look to social media to see what is being discussed and consider it when making their decisions. He said if we are not talking, our cause will not be heard.

I tried my hand at speaking out via Facebook after the 2012 presidential election. As a single, educated woman I was tired of being lumped together in the same category as other similarly situated women that I did not agree with and who did not represent me. I debated on stating my beliefs so publicly. I'm not sure what kind of a reaction I was expecting or fearing. And despite the fact that my statement was posted on the internet as opposed to given in a public speech, I still worried. Needlessly, however, as nothing happened but a show of support from friends.*

The panelist at the conference suggested we first become informed about religious freedom. We befriend those of other faiths who have similar concerns. Then we start talking. On social media, on blogs, and in our communities.

Throughout the panel discussion the quote from Edmund Burke kept echoing in my head.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and women] to do nothing."

Malala's Example

I am currently reading the book I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai. At age 11, Malala was speaking out for girl's education at the risk of her own life. In addition, she was blogging anonymously through the BBC about going to school in Taliban-controlled Pakistan. She was meeting with ambassadors demanding they help in the fight for girl's education. She was interviewed by journalists on a regular basis. Because she was willing to speak out against the Taliban, unlike many in her valley, she was hunted down and shot in the head. At age 16, the Taliban have been unable to silence her and she continues to speak out. She has been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize.

On Friday, speaking to a group of youth in London, she said, "I could either not speak and die, or speak and then die. I chose the second one." **

As I read her story, there is no doubt in my mind that one young woman can change the world.



Keep Talking

I heard once that in order for those who are soft spoken to know they are speaking at the correct volume, they need to feel like they are shouting. Perhaps the same applies to speaking out. For introverts to know they are saying enough, they need to feel like they have said too much.

 

Wherever you may be, for whatever cause you may be fighting, join the conversation and "just say something!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more on religious freedom:

- Like FB Group Support Religious Freedom

-Visit Becket Fund & American Religious Freedom

-For those in California, visit Pacific Justice Institute 

 

 

 

* My FB comment:

I am a single, educated woman with an advanced degree. There's been lots of talk about my demographic in the past few weeks and I just wanted to be clear on a few things.

I believe in God. I believe in life. I believe that marriage is a divine institution between one man and one woman. I believe in chastity before marriage and fidelity after. And even though I may be a practicing attorney, I can think of no job I want more than to be a stay-at-home mom.

If these “social issues” in which I believe mark me with the additional labels of ignorant, backwards, stuck in the 1950s, etc., then so be it. In this ever-changing world in which we live, I still believe there are truths and constants that remain, however unpopular they may be.

November 9, 2012