Silence is Not an Option
By: Kristal Farmer, WWPR Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Chair
“The silence of the good people is as serious as the vitriolic words of the bad people.” –Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
There is something to be said about fear. Your heart races, adrenaline surges, and your instincts sharpen—fight or flight. But what happens when it’s not just you? When it’s your family, your friends, your neighbors, your colleagues—when the fear isn’t momentary, but systemic? Do you keep your head down and hope for the best? Do you look for opportunities outside the country? Or do you dig your heels in and fight for change where you are?
Over the past few weeks, a flurry of executive orders has shaken me to my core. These policies are actively working to pull us backward—to an era of blatant inequality. DE&I isn’t just about race; it encompasses gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, and socioeconomic status. The Trump administration’s threats of “adverse consequences” for federal employees who refuse to report colleagues working on DE&I initiatives are not just disturbing—they are dangerous. This is how fear takes root. This is how progress is undone.
As an immigrant family of naturalized American citizens, we have built a life here. Yet, despite over twenty years in this country, despite our legal status, we are afraid. We keep copies of our paperwork in the car. We brace ourselves for scrutiny. We watch naturalized citizens being profiled and asked to prove their right to exist. And when we hear of ICE roundups, we know that citizenship alone is no guarantee of safety.
The fear is real. But so is the fight. Silence is not an option. Fear thrives when good people stay quiet. History has shown us that progress is not guaranteed—it must be defended, nurtured, and fought for. The erosion of DE&I is more than a policy shift; it is an attack on the very foundation of a just society.
My family and I, like many immigrants, have embraced the American Dream, but that dream should not come with the ever-present anxiety of being “othered”; The chilling effect of these policies extends beyond government—it permeates daily life, making people question their belonging, their safety, and their worth.
So, what do we do? We choose courage over comfort. We advocate, educate, and refuse to be silent. We push back, ensuring that DE&I remains not just a talking point, but a fundamental value.
Dr. King’s words remind us that complicity enables injustice. If we stay silent now, we allow fear to dictate our future. History will remember those who stood up. Which side of history will we be on?
