Introduction
Speaking out is a fundamental impulse of our conscious nature's authentic expression. The courage to be authentic is in everyone's interest. Engagement in open dialogue, even when opinions are contentious, is essential for learning, healing, and protection. A study on cancel culture by Pew Research¹ challenges societies to balance openness with sensitivity to diverse perspectives, reflecting the tension between accountability and freedom of expression.
Social and Individual Rejection
However, speaking out is often accompanied by a conditioned fear arising from the belief that we are separate selves, fighting each other for survival. As I suggest, this belief is at the root of increasingly extreme effects that have reinforced this fear.
In her article on Psychology Today, Judith E. Glaser² explains that the fear of rejection is hardwired into our biology. This fear activates the same neural pathways as physical pain, making social rejection feel acutely distressing. In prehistoric times, being cast out could mean life or death, and this legacy informs our modern fears of judgment and exclusion. The fear of rejection can be weaponised to enforce conformity within relationships.
Financial Ruin and Persecution
Whistleblowers are often celebrated for their courage but simultaneously face isolation, demotion, or even job loss. Research in the Harvard Business Review ³emphasises the difficulty of speaking up in toxic cultures, where the fear of retaliation or being ostracised can discourage many from disclosing unethical practices. This underscores a crucial need for systemic support to protect those who take these risks. As Psychology Today⁴ points out, there is often a profound emotional aftermath for victims who come forward to report abuse or persecution. The initial act of speaking can be cathartic, yet it also exposes victims to disbelief, blame, and further victimisation, which can exacerbate trauma rather than alleviate it.
And yet, “Few things are as important to a company as an engaged workforce that actually, you know, cares about the success and well-being of the business. Which means that a strong culture of internal reporting — more commonly known as whistleblowing — is crucial.”⁵
Ill Health
The research documented in sources like Semantic Scholar⁶ points out the significant health consequences for individuals who speak out against injustices or wrongdoing. The stress and anxiety resulting from public disclosure can lead to adverse mental and physical health outcomes, amplifying the personal cost of such actions.
And yet, talking about our pain is also extremely good for our health. “Talking about our problems and verbalising our negative feelings to friends has been a source of relief for centuries. In different forms of psychotherapy, from psychoanalysis to existential and cognitive-behavioural approaches, the vital component is the bond of trust between client and therapist that supports clients’ self-disclosure, the process of sharing their problems, and emotional pain.”⁷
Physical and Psychological Abuse
Marshall Rosenberg, founder of Non-Violent Communication, famously points out that the conditioned oppression in intimate relationships prevents us from expressing our needs clearly. Although we all seek unconditional love, we often impose many conditions on it and try and control others through our insecurity.⁸This takes all sorts of forms, including, for example, even not speaking at all. The silent treatment, as discussed in The Atlantic⁹, is a subtle yet potent form of psychological manipulation. Being deliberately ignored can feel punishing and isolating, underscoring how silence can be and how vital open, authentic communication is.
Death
The dangers of speaking out can be stark, as seen in countries with authoritarian regimes. As documented widely, individuals face severe repercussions, including imprisonment or even execution, for dissenting against oppressive government practices. This danger highlights the extreme stakes involved with speaking out in such environments.
And yet, there are times when truth has to be spoken as the only remaining option. Spiritual realisation is often a cause for speaking out as part of a general desire to share understanding. Icons like Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Malala Yousafzai, Jesus Christ, and Nichiren Daishonin are examples of leaders who felt compelled to address societal issues through their voices. ¹⁰
Communication Based On Respect For All Life Is Essential
The act of speaking out, regardless of its challenges, remains a crucial component of individual and social well-being and part of the natural expression of our true nature. Encouraging constructive dialogue and providing safe spaces for expression are vital as society evolves, and we must strive to protect and amplify diverse voices, recognising the inherent value they bring to our collective narrative. The realisation that we are the same self-talking to ourselves through the many body-minds of humanity creates the most secure context for this. When we perceive all body-minds as the same self, we innately liberate ourselves from the conditioned fears that might otherwise oppress us. This liberation is crucial in fostering environments that encourage learning, healing, and protection across society. Based on this wisdom, communication between individuals can become far more non-violent and constructive, ensuring it is carried out in safe ways and at the appropriate moments and based on respect.
References
1 Pew Research Center. "Americans and Cancel Culture: Where Some See Calls for Accountability, Others See Censorship and Punishment." 2021.
2 Glaser, Judith E. "Why We Don’t Speak Up." Psychology Today, 2018.
3 Harvard Business Review. "Why It’s So Hard to Speak Up Against a Toxic Culture." 2018.
4 Psychology Today. "The Emotional Aftermath of Speaking Out." 2017.
6 Greaves, John, and McGlone, Ryan. "The Health Consequences of Speaking Out." Semantic Scholar.
8 [Why It's So Hard to Be (Fully) Honest with Your Partner](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inviting-a-monkey-to-tea/202009/why-its-so-hard-to-be-fully-honest-with-your-partner
9 Pierson, Lee. "The Psychology of the Silent Treatment." The Atlantic, 2021
10 Brendan MacCarthaigh. "The price of speaking out and suffering the consequences". La Croix International, 2023. [https://international.la-croix.com/news/religion/the-price-of-speaking-out-and-suffering-the-consequences/17170]
- Freja Theaker
Originally published on Substack
To learn more about Freyja and her work visit her website: https://www.naturallybeing.one/approach
Comments