Silence Is a Choice—And It’s Shaping Our Future

Guest Opinion by Richard Benderson

There’s a hard truth in our communities—especially across Alabama’s Black Belt: a lot of people believe in faith, family, personal responsibility, and fairness… but far too many stay quiet.

And that silence? It has consequences.

We’re weeks away from the May 19 primary election, and once again, the loudest voices will shape the direction of our schools, our policies, and our future—unless more people decide to step forward and be counted.

Let’s be honest about what’s at stake.

Parents are asking whether fairness still exists in school sports.
Working people are asking whether effort and discipline still matter.
Families are asking whether the culture we’re building strengthens the home—or weakens it.

At the same time, we’re seeing ideas pushed that many people quietly disagree with:

• That fairness can be redefined in ways that don’t feel fair at all
• That achievement doesn’t always have to be earned
• That long-standing values around family and faith should be pushed aside

You don’t have to be loud to see it. But staying silent about it? That’s a decision too.

So here are some direct questions:

Do you believe people should be judged by their character—not their race, background, or identity?
Do you believe hard work should still be the path to success?
Do you believe parents should have a strong voice in their children’s education?
Do you believe faith and moral grounding still belong in how we live our lives?

If your answer is “yes,” then here’s the question that matters most:

Why are you quiet?

Too many people are sitting on the sidelines—worried about labels, worried about backlash, worried about standing alone. Meanwhile, decisions are being made that affect your family, your children, and your community.

That’s not neutrality. That’s surrender.

The truth is simple: if you don’t show up, someone else will make the decisions for you.

This upcoming primary election on May 19 is your opportunity to stop being silent.

Engage.

Speak.

Vote.

Not with anger—but with conviction.

Not to tear down—but to stand firm.

This isn’t about political teams. It’s about whether the values you live by actually show up in the world around you.

Faith. Family. Freedom. Fairness.

If those mean something to you, then it’s time to stop whispering about them—and start standing on them.

Because silence isn’t just absence.

It’s permission.

Richard Benderson is an urbanist and community builder serving as a Cooperative Development Specialist Contractor with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives. With more than two decades of experience in urban planning and development, Mr. Benderson has served municipalities across the southeastern United States, including Selma, Alabama; Winter Haven, Port St. Joe, Daytona Beach, and Lake City, Florida; and the South Georgia Regional Development Center. A native of Demopolis, Alabama, Mr. Benderson is an alumnus of Alabama A&M University and also attended the University of West Alabama.

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