The Importance of Speaking Up

Having a voice and using it effectively is astonishingly powerful. When people tell the truth, other people listen. Statements that are juicy and controversial and dangerous are alive, raw, fearless—even as simple a proclamation as “no, thanks,” if it is precise and true. At the end of the day an admirable person is one who sticks to his or her guns. … There is no easy solution, and it’s an uphill battle, but these recent tragedies have taught me that I’ve got to become more vocal, that I’ve got to speak up and speak out and really work toward change if I ever want to see it realized. And that I may even lose some Facebook Friends along the way.