Rezaul Karim Reza:
This country is now hot with words, yet tired of meaning.
There is only shouting all around-on microphones, in processions, on talk shows, on Facebook statuses, in live videos. Everyone is talking, but fewer people are listening. Amidst such a crowd of words, the space for true speech is shrinking day by day. It seems that nothing can be heard except shouting.
In today’s Bangladesh, who is for whom and who is against whom- standing outside these two poles is the biggest crime. There is no opportunity to be in the middle, no room to ask questions, no courage to be neutral. If you ask questions, you will be tagged. If you analyze, your motives will be sought. And if you are neutral, you will be viewed with suspicion. As a result, restrained voices, soft speech- they can no longer survive. They are lost in the power of loud voices.
But history tells us otherwise.
This country was born from questions, from protests, from demands for reason and self-respect. But those questions were not accompanied by revenge, nor were protests accompanied by blind hatred. Today, those questions have become the most dangerous. Questions mean hostility, dissent means treason- such a culture has gradually infiltrated our politics into society, from society into the newsroom, and even into domestic conversations.
We tell stories of development every day. We boast about bridges, buildings, statistics. But we avoid taking into account civil dignity, freedom of expression, the mentality of tolerating dissent. Laws, institutions, elections, the media- everything is talked about. But very little is said about the lack of moral courage. That courage, which teaches us to stand up against injustice, and also gives us the strength to listen carefully to our opponents.
Today, soft speech is seen as weakness.
As if words are worthless if not spoken out loud. Yet soft speech is actually an expression of confidence. Where there is no abuse, no threats, there is reason. Where dissent is not suppressed, but dealt with through thought. But in this time, reason has become the most unnecessary thing. Emotions, excitement, and party loyalty- these are now the most effective weapons.
In this reality, the biggest protest may no longer be shouting.
Rather, it is speaking calmly, clearly, and honestly. Words that are accountable to power, as well as to conscience. Words that are not to please anyone, but to stand for the truth. Speech that is not against anyone, but against injustice.
More speech will be needed to save this country- more words, more debate, more opinions.
But if those speeches are restrained, humane, and based on reason- then perhaps the truth will be heard again amidst this crowd of words.
In a land of shouting, perhaps the most revolutionary act now is one-
speaking the truth firmly, in a restrained voice.
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