Agent’s Corner: A Time to Speak up

By Canton Citizen

We are often told it is wiser to hold our tongue than speak our mind. Silence is golden. We are expected to be polite and considerate, thoughtful of the effect our words will have, and to err on the side of caution. Sometimes, our thoughts are better kept to ourselves.

Veterans Agent Tony Andreotti

Right now does not feel like one of those times.

Our atmosphere is full of anger. Sexism. Racism. Imbalance of power. Ignorance. Rudeness. Dishonesty. An overwhelming lack of empathy. The lines that divide us are deep and dark and ugly, and every person is certain he or she is on the correct side. The cracks have become chasms, and they are threatening to break our entire society apart.

In order to better judge if each of us is truly on the “correct” side of those lines, perhaps we need to look less at whether we are “right” or “wrong” and instead examine what motivates our choices. Our wisest choices grow out of integrity, honesty, respectfulness, humility, kindness, compassion, generosity, courageousness, and empathy. Poor choices come from selfishness, closed-mindedness, entitlement, cruelty, lack of education, dishonesty, superficiality, judgement, pride, self-centeredness, prejudice, and a need to force our will above all else.

Now more than ever, be certain the causes you champion are borne of wise choices.

Not as town employees, but as human beings, we apologize to our veterans who are people of color, who are women, who were not born in the United States but who served this country as their home.

–Tony and Jennifer

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.

–Martin Niemöller, German Lutheran minister and early Nazi supporter who was later imprisoned for opposing Hitler’s Regime

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