There has been an upsurge of courage in those who had, sometimes for many years, been silent and endured demeaning behaviours. This has been happening on both small and large scales. Social movements like #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter, along with individuals speaking up, are some examples.
Those of us who are observers often feel shocked and, perhaps, a little guilty at not having done anything. Our obligation is to support the person as they adjust to speaking up. And make sure that we look at our part in the silence of the past years.
This includes those of us who are diverse and who may have experienced negative actions ourselves. It may take a little more courage, but we should act if we feel brave enough. As observers, we need to be alongside those who are letting us hear their voices. And if we can’t, then we should stop, reflect, and see what we can do, even quietly.