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A common excuse bystanders give for inaction in response to abuses is to deny they possess any responsibility to act. In fact, they often convince themselves and others it would be irresponsible to get involved.
Some are conditioned to respond with this type of excuse. Abusive cultures control people by restricting their access to information while teaching them to trust leaders.
People are happy to mind their own business as long as new information doesn’t compel them to do otherwise.
People are happy to mind their own business as long as new information doesn’t compel them to do otherwise.
Those who want to maintain the comforts of the status quo will resist the kind of information that would dismantle their trust in the leadership.
Therefore, bystanders who would rather not know about the abuses become interlocking parts of a system designed for self-protection.
Therefore, bystanders who would rather not know about the abuses become interlocking parts of a system designed for self-protection.
The excuse that says, “it’s not my responsibility” is often accompanied with a similar excise that says “even if I could do something, it wouldn’t matter.”
The bystander excuses their excuse for not acting by convincing themselves and others it wouldn’t matter anyways.
The bystander excuses their excuse for not acting by convincing themselves and others it wouldn’t matter anyways.
I believe the threads of deception are best unraveled by starting with the outermost strand and then following a slow and careful process of truth-telling until you arrive at the last knot.
So start with the excuse that says, “my resistance won’t accomplish anything.”
This must be challenged by the truth that all injustice should be met with resistance, even if those attempts seem too weak to affect change.
Right is not determined by might.
This must be challenged by the truth that all injustice should be met with resistance, even if those attempts seem too weak to affect change.
Right is not determined by might.
The excuse that says, “it’s none of my business,” must be met with the truth about our need for one another.
Churchgoers who use this excuse are ignoring the body metaphor of the church. When one part suffers, the whole suffers. When one part is injured, the whole takes notice.
Churchgoers who use this excuse are ignoring the body metaphor of the church. When one part suffers, the whole suffers. When one part is injured, the whole takes notice.
Those who want to be a part of a culture in which minding your own business matters more than advocacy must have their beliefs and values challenged.
What does it say about you and the culture you participate in that others can suffer without you knowing or intervening?
What does it say about you and the culture you participate in that others can suffer without you knowing or intervening?
