"Le problème, c'est qu'une fois que vous le voyez, vous ne pouvez plus l'ignorer. Et une fois que vous l'avez vu, rester silencieux, ne rien dire, devient un acte politique tout autant que parler."

Once you become aware of something significant, it's impossible to ignore it. Even if you try to stay silent, your silence can speak volumes. Imagine this: you've just discovered a major issue at work—like a colleague being unfairly treated. Now that you're aware, you can't just forget it or pretend it doesn't exist. Your choice to either speak up or stay quiet becomes a statement in itself.

Think about the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. People who recognized the injustice couldn't just unsee it. They had to make a choice: to march and protest or to stay quiet and by staying quiet, they were indirectly supporting the status quo. Silence wasn't neutral; it was a choice that had implications.

Let's dive into a real-world example. There was a software engineer, let's call her Maria, working in a large tech firm. Maria discovered that her company was using biased algorithms that discriminated against certain ethnic groups. Once she saw it, she couldn't unsee it. Her first reaction was to stay quiet, thinking it wasn't her place to challenge the higher-ups. But every day, as she sat in meetings and saw the impact of these algorithms, the weight of her silence grew. Eventually, Maria decided to speak out, bringing the issue to her supervisors and advocating for fairer practices. Her decision to speak out led to the company reevaluating and adjusting its algorithms.

So, how do you apply this idea in your own life? First, when you notice something wrong, acknowledge it. It's easy to brush it off, but recognition is the first step. Next, weigh your options. Sometimes speaking out can be tough, and it might have consequences—but so can staying silent. Think about the impact of your silence on others and on your own conscience. Finally, find a way to voice your concerns that feels authentic and manageable for you. Maybe it's a quiet conversation with a trusted colleague, or perhaps it's a more public statement.

Now, let’s bring it closer to home with a story. Picture you're at a family dinner. Your uncle starts making inappropriate jokes. You see your younger cousin, clearly uncomfortable. You can't unhear those jokes or unsee your cousin's discomfort. If you stay silent, you're implicitly saying it's okay. But if you speak up, even gently, you signal that those comments aren't acceptable. You might say, "Hey, I don't think that's funny," or "Let's change the topic." It might be uncomfortable for a moment, but you've taken a stand.

In the end, it's about being aware of the power of your actions—or inactions. Once you're aware of something significant, your choices around it become meaningful. Whether at work, with family, or in broader society, deciding to speak out or remain silent is a powerful act. So, when you see something that matters, remember: you have a choice. And that choice can make all the difference.