In Audre Lorde’s article, she says that what she most regretted were her silences and how they didn’t protect her. When the doctors told her she needed breast surgery and there was a high percentage of it being malignant, she began to analyze her life. She believes that important issues are better to be discussed than not be expressed. Silence draws fear, “fear of contempt, of censure, or some judgement, or recognition, of challenge, of annihilation”.
Fear shouldn’t be something to stop us from expressing our perspective on subjects. We, as humans, are afraid of being criticized and shunned for speaking our truths. I believe if one person expresses their mind, it can encourage others to be a change too. When a person decides to speak up, they open new doors and reflect themselves in a new way. Words are very powerful and can influence people to begin a chain of reaction. A person can attack you and make you feel inferior but once you make your voice be heard, you can change that.
Life is too short and to keep “swallowing” all the insults without speaking out, isn't worth it. There is a lot of prejudice and silence won’t protect us. I think silence is the worst thing to do because no one will see what you really think and make their own suggestions/remarks about you.
For a long time I followed the belief that staying silent will protect. Often I was afraid to speak out my opinion, I still am now. However I agree with you that silence is the worst thing to do since if no one else can hear you then the only person you are hurting is yourself. Expressing your own opinion on a subject matter is the best way to get people to understand you and like you said it opens up new doors along with a window of opportunity to help others to do the same.
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