Voices

I've been thinking about voices. About having one, and using it. About what it would be like not to have a voice.

Our world is more full of voices than ever. In every conceivable way, online and offline, people are making themselves heard.

Some voices spew bile. It's an undeniable fact that hate speech exists in our world and has even more platforms. Should those voices still be listened to? I think so, but when I listen to them I promptly dismiss them. They're voice is unimportant because they're not helping the world. But this is my bias, not always a helpful way of living and I admit that.


But now I want you to imagine not having a voice. Perhaps literally, more often politically or metaphorically.
How often have you struggled to be heard? How often have you felt ignored?

This has been touted as the reason for Brexit, and for Trump. People feeling as though their concerns aren't being heard by the 'political elite' and using their voice in the one sure way they can: voting. Voting is a fundamental right: you shouldn't have to earn it, nor is it down to you to take it or for someone to give it. It just should be.

What if you can't access it though? From being in prison, being oppressed, being homeless? You need an address to be on the electoral roll, so politically the homeless, those living in shelters or temporary housing, they can't have their voices heard by governments. What if you were trafficked here, or you fled war in your country and you're not a citizen. There are people that making decisions about you, for you. There are laws being written and funding being assigned (or more likely cut), all related to you and your life.

That's where charities and advocacy groups come in. They can give a voice to the voiceless. They can assess the damage done by cuts to social housing, they can look at how a new law tackling sexual exploitation will affect people. They can lobby, advise, inform and educate politicians, lawmakers. They can educate us too. In these times of many voices, I urge you to listen closely. Through the cacophony, to the plight of those in need. That's why charities and advocacy groups are been more important right now and yet some face extinction- they will give you an earpiece to that cacophony.

And if, for whatever reason, you don't feel heard, try to speak up. It's hard, I won't pretend it isn't, but every opportunity to speak up is an opportunity to learn too. Find your voice, and then put it to good use. That includes using it to help the voiceless be heard.