We have created the word “tattletale” to describe those who speak up about the things they see. For example, if you broke your mom’s favorite mug and your brother told on you, he would be a tattletale. Or, if some mean old kid is picking on you and you tell your teacher, you’re a tattletale. It has created the idea that speaking up about wrong things is shameful and embarrassing. It’s sad how we now call people who speak up snitches, and avoid saying things ourselves to avoid labels like this. In fact, we need to stop this idea from spreading even more before speaking up gets lost in the wind.
When we don’t speak up about something, the situation can get increasingly worse. This can lead to huge problems that may not be revealed until they cause harm in a way that cannot be undone. Whether something is happening to you, a friend, or a stranger, speaking up is important, and it is all of our responsibilities. Everybody has heard the saying “if you see something, say something,” however, it is time we actually start following it.
It has become a common occurrence to witness bad things happening, and oftentimes we choose to ignore them to avoid both the stress of reporting them and the reputation it will give us among a crowd. If you see a fight in the hallways and report it, chances are people will look upon you with shame.
If we don’t report mischief, it can grow worse and worse, leading to much larger issues. That is why we need to speak up, even if it means risking our reputations, so that we can stop things like bullying.
But the thing is, we shouldn’t be having to risk our reputations by doing the right thing. We shouldn’t be getting unfair consequences for doing what is right. In fact, we should be praising people for standing up for what is right. We are discouraged from speaking up, which just makes the problem worse, while also pushing people to continue staying quiet.
If you asked anybody in this school if they have reported incidents or misdemeanors to the higher-ups, chances are they would say no. It’s because we decide that it isn’t worth the hassle, or that it would maybe put a target on your back. We ignore the “If you see something, say something” signs and resort to minding our own business.
But by minding our business, we can put others in danger. We see people smoke in the restrooms, yet choose not to say anything, even though it hurts their health. We see crude graffiti on walls and keep our mouths shut, even if it is harmful.
If we don’t speak up about things, it can bring us great emotional distress, and it can help the problem grow like a parasite. But if we do report what we see, we can feel satisfied, and can keep something from getting worse.
Oftentimes, life is full of injustice. It is our job to stop it. Whether it is here, at home, or in a workplace, we will see it everywhere. If we don’t want injustice to spread, we have to speak up.