jacoblund
Please make every effort to speak out now for democracy. My feelings on this have been building and reached a critical level after the women’s march on Jan. 20.
I have observed too many friends and family remaining silent as our federal institutions (which enable our many cherished freedoms) are bombarded daily with proto-fascist attacks. When you remain silent, you implicitly support the rising authoritarianism being nurtured across our country.
It’s easy to find excuses for being silent, and our fledgling oppressors are counting on most people to “go along to get along.” Please speak up now while it’s still easy to do so.
Don’t let a suspicious fear develop in society that the government will use your employer, landlord, local law enforcement, or, God forbid, neighbors to single you out as a troublemaker.
If you think I’m being alarmist, I ask you to consider the impact McCarthyism had on many citizens’ reputations, livelihoods and community standing. McCarthyism was not that long ago and there is ample evidence we are sliding toward a similar state of federal oppression. We need your voice, we need all voices to nip this in the bud now. No one else can take care of this for you. Anything you can do is helpful — do what you can, when you can. If we all do our part, we can preserve our democracy for many more years and for our grandchildren.
When speaking out becomes the norm, our world will take notice and the combined power of our voices will be unstoppable. Above all, please make every effort to vote in every election.
John L. Cunningham
Amherst
