Hear Something – Say Something

New York city officials have reminded citizens to be on the lookout for terrorist activity by using the tag line “See something, say something”. This phrase is intended to make sure people react to any and all suspicious events. Perhaps it’s time for Conservatives to do something similar: Hear something – say something.

At the grocery store, out for dinner or drinks, at the office, at a barbecue – wherever – when someone decides to bring up a fiscal or social topic, Conservatives often take the high ground and say nothing. Sure, you’re supposedly not supposed to talk religion or politics in social settings – so the left takes advantage, spews their garbage and assumes there is no real opposition to their way of thinking.

Hollywood is a prime example.  Ben Shapiro wrote an entire book about how Hollywood’s elite are pushing a highly progressive agenda. Shapiro shared some of the insights from his book in a U.K. Independent interview in May.

“I was shocked by the openness of the Hollywood crowd when it came to admitting anti-conservative discrimination inside the industry,”  “They weren’t ashamed of it. In fact, some were actually proud of it.”

Actors and crew who feel otherwise are bullied into silence. In such a hostile surrounding, I can imagine a young actor or cameraman nodding their heads to keep their jobs, while avoiding the urge to vomit simultaneously.

The problem is not limited to out-of-touch world of the super-rich Hollywood left. Conservatives have been effectively painted as extremists by the media. It emboldens liberals and quiets the opposition.

I dealt with a similar situation at work and did what many of us might do in a work environment. I work out in the gym at work. Since I was the first one in, the rule is, I get to choose what to watch. I put it on Fox News. 10 or so minutes later, another person came in and asked if she could change it. I let her know that I was watching it. She responded, “Good Lord, you’ll turn me into a pillar of salt”. I could have turned it into a lively discussion on immorality on television, but was satisfied with getting to watch what I wanted.

What if I had spoken up instead? What if I had asked her what news channel she would watch instead? Then ask if that news channel represents her Christian faith better or worse than Fox News and ask for examples. Later, when she gets home, she might think about what I asked, her faith and watching her beloved CNN,  perhaps question her own choices. Maybe she’s choosing a political tradition in her family over the teachings of her own church.

Planting the seed of doubt is our responsibility. Silence only nurtures the liberal belief that their extremist ideas are popular. That’s how propaganda works.