We live in a society where speaking the truth—especially when it comes to issues of fairness, equity, and common decency—can cost you a business deal, a job, or even social favor. But let me ask you this: what is a social contract worth if it doesn’t uphold humanity and justice for all people? If we can’t hold ourselves and others accountable, then what kind of society are we building? A hollow one. A fraudulent one. One where integrity is sacrificed at the altar of appeasement.
Too often, we’re told to water down the truth to avoid upsetting someone—especially when those “someones” are the architects of systemic inequities. We’re asked to tiptoe around the feelings of those who sanitize injustice, dress it up in polished language, and serve it to us as if it’s fine dining. But here’s the truth: no matter how pretty the plate looks, it’s still poison.
To stand up for decency is not just a moral obligation—it’s a radical act of defiance against the status quo. It’s choosing to believe that progress requires confrontation, not comfort. If your ability to speak truth is tied to your paycheck or your professional relationships, what does that say about how far we’ve really come? It says this: We’ve been running in place while pretending to move forward.
I’d rather risk it all than live a life where silence props up injustice. Stand up. Speak out. Accountability should never be negotiable. Let the chips fall where they may.