Keep Speaking Out

In February, I wrote a blog about Trump and racism. At the end I said, “I have written several blogs about racism here in America. I have to say, they don’t seem to do much good.” Afterwards, my friend, Andrea Codd, sent me wonderful words of encouragement I would like to share. They are a lesson for all of us.

Here was Andrea’s message:

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I know it can feel discouraging to speak out against racism and injustice, and wonder if it’s making any difference at all. But it does matter — even when the impact isn’t immediately visible.

Edmund Burke is often paraphrased as saying, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.”

Your words are the opposite of doing nothing. They are a refusal to stay silent.

I’m reminded, too, of the warning shared by Martin Niemöller, reflecting on the rise of Nazi persecution: “First they came for the socialists… Then they came for the Jews… Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

History shows us that silence is never neutral. Speaking up may not always change minds right away, but it does change the landscape. It gives language to those who feel alone. It reminds others they’re not imagining what they see. And it creates a record that says: someone noticed, someone cared, someone refused to look away.

You may never know who has been strengthened, steadied, or encouraged by your writing — but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. Please don’t underestimate the good you’ve already done. Keep speaking. It matters more than you know.

Her message humbled me.

I pass those words from Andrea on to all of you. I know it often feels as if we are whispering into the wind and no one hears what we have to say. Take heart. There are those who are listening, even if we don’t know it. Keep speaking out about racial intolerance, hate speech, and injustice, here in America and around the world. Your words, and your voice, matter. 

Addendum: 

• A special thanks to Andrea Codd for her words of encouragement and for allowing me to publish them. Strength is all around us if we look for it. 
• Here is the blog that Andrea commented on: Writing blogs about Trump is like shooting fish in a barrel. It is too easy. Every day he presents new topics to bust him about. I need to choose wisely, so my blog doesn’t turn into just a Trump report. When he posted a video of the Obamas as apes, that was one bit of racism I couldn’t […] Continue here: https://maxnhall.com/2026/02/10/trump-and-racism/
• There are a few versions of Niemoller’s poem. The most recognized is probably this one:

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.