We cannot rely upon the silenced to tell us they are suffering.
Interpretation
It's essential to recognize the silent struggles of others instead of relying on them to voice their pain.
This quote emphasizes the importance of being empathetic and attentive to those around us who may be suffering in silence. It suggests that not everyone has the ability or willingness to express their struggles openly, so we must take the initiative to offer support and understanding to those who may be in need, even if they do not vocalize it.
In practice
In a discussion about mental health awareness, you could use this quote to stress the importance of being observant and compassionate.
Nobody listens anymore. I can't talk to the walls because they're yelling at me, I can't talk to my wife; she listens to the walls. I just want someone to hear what I have to say. And maybe if I talk long enough it'll make sense. And I want you to teach me to understand what I read.
The attempt to redefine the family as a purely voluntary arrangement grows out of the modern delusion that people can keep all their options open all the time.
The drama and the trauma of the relationship you have when you're 16 can mirror the one you have when you're 26. Life repeats itself.
Hugs make you feel psychologically more secure and together.
We wanted to test each other's capacity for survival: only if we had tried in vain to destroy one another would we know we were safe.
Generally speaking, we as black people have been celebrated more for when we are subservient when we are not being leaders or kings or in the center of our own narrative driving it forward.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.