The Crime of Silence: Social Responsibility and Our Role

When Does a Society Weaken?

A society becomes weak the moment its members stay silent in the face of injustice. This silence is not merely a personal weakness—it is a national failure. The essence of civilization is not just technological advancement—it also includes the preservation of human values. But where do we stand today? Injustice, violence, deprivation, and oppression surround us—yet we remain silent. If we keep our mouths shut today, history will label us as silent criminals tomorrow.

A Symbolic Protest: Awakening Dormant Conscience

I tore the shirt off a man—yes, all of a sudden. People around stared in astonishment; yes, they only stared in astonishment, but no one said a word. The man whose shirt I tore became furious; he reached out to strike me. That’s exactly what I had expected from him a moment ago.

Just a while ago, I was the victim of an injustice, yet no one protested, no one stood by me. While I was being oppressed, this very man stood silently by my side. I tore his shirt to bring out the selfish human hidden within him and transform him into a person who protests. I wanted his dormant humanity to awaken. I wanted him to understand how silence itself is a crime.

Invisible Walls: A Barrier to Humanity

We often build invisible walls around ourselves, walls that detach us from our human responsibilities. Looking at the current state of society, one must ask—is this what we now call civilization? Is civilization merely about flashy lifestyles, technological development, and personal comfort? Our hearts are becoming more fearful, self-centered, and indifferent with each passing day.

Someone right next to us is being abused—sometimes physically, sometimes mentally. Yet even after seeing it, we remain silent, as if we’ve seen nothing. We take a quick glance and then look away, silently hoping nothing is really happening around us. As if everything in society is normal and peaceful.

We Understand the Pain Only When Injustice Hits Us

In reality, we only think of ourselves; the sense of responsibility toward others is absent within us. True civilization purifies the human soul. But instead, our hearts are becoming increasingly fearful. When injustice touches us personally, we finally understand how real the pain is. That’s when we feel—"Now I must protest!" But by then, we find no one by our side. Because we, too, never stood by anyone else. This makes it clear: if I fall into trouble, there will be no one to save me either.

The Solution: Be the Change Yourself

Society cannot go on like this. We must take the first step toward change. We must stand by people. We must stand against injustice—now. We must stand beside the oppressed—now. Otherwise, remember—what is happening to me today could happen to you tomorrow, and it could be even worse. There's no guarantee that something horrific won’t happen. That’s why you must be part of a united force. A strong and unified social mindset must be built.

If you don’t acknowledge evil as evil today, it will no longer be considered evil tomorrow; instead, it will become normalized behavior in society. And once these things become widespread, there will be no room left to call them wrong. There will be no more opportunity to speak out or make a change.

Final Message: Silence Is Not Neutrality, It's Complicity

If you raise your voice today, positive change in society will begin. And even if your protest is quiet or hidden—be grateful. Because soon, even that feeling of protest may disappear. Then you won’t even realize that the voice inside you is gone.

Silence is not neutrality—it is a form of indirect approval. When every individual in society remains silent against injustice, that injustice becomes a social norm. So the time is now: speak out against the injustices happening around you. Stand beside the helpless and the oppressed. Be part of the change—or else, one day you will become a victim of that change. A change that will push society to the edge of destruction, from where there will be no way back.

"Show courage, break the wall of fear, and move forward."

"If you don’t stand up, no one will. If you don’t speak, no one will."

"Today, if you stand by someone, tomorrow a nation will stand by you."