In a TED Talk entitled, “Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable,” Luvvie Ajayi speaks on what it means to be a domino. Being a domino is to speak up and do things that are difficult when they are needed. This is all in hopes that it will give way to the domino effect, propelling others to do the same. Doing the right thing doesn't mean that it's going to be easy. Often when we speak out against wrongdoings or injustice, we may face consequences or backlash. In the news, we often see that this is the case, such as when women or men speak out against powerful people. However, these individuals did not let fear take the lead. Letting fear lead us, leaves us in a stagnant place of comfort. Ajayi states, “Being quiet is comfortable, keeping things the way they’ve been is comfortable. All comfort does is maintain the status quo (TED).” If we don't speak necessary truths, are we holding onto our values and morals? What does it say about us as individuals?
Luvvie then mentions a situation where she was asked to speak for a conference. This particular conference told her that she must pay her way. Taking the time to research them, she found out that the white male speakers got compensated and their travel paid for. The white female speakers got their travel paid for, but the black female speakers were expected to pay to speak. She knew this wasn't right and chose to publicly speak up. In doing so, other women came out with similar stories in which they were being paid discriminatorily.
In a day and age as such, this message is so very relevant. People and systems count on our silence to keep us exactly where we are.” They don't want us to have a voice and speak out against wrongs that have been committed. This is why we should know and be ourselves, and in doing so, we can tell thoughtful truths. Truths that will help the common good, so that we can build strong foundations and bridges that will break systems built on lies.
Will you choose to be a domino? The one that will take the first fall or, will you be like the rest, standing in line silent?
Work Cited
“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” YouTube, uploaded by TED, 2 January 2018,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QijH4UAqGD8.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.