I read a story recently about a school teacher (anonymous) who feels torn between keeping his job or speaking up about issues he's concerned with in his school district.
He feels strongly that some policies and practices in his district are not in the best interest of all students and have the potential to cause damage. He worries that caring staff members with legitimate perspectives cannot openly discuss specific issues without facing retribution.
He has decided to remain silent about his concerns and say nothing publicly or to his administration. Why?
In his words:
"It would be career suicide, and with two children, I cannot afford to lose health insurance. I just keep my head down. Too much to lose."
I don't judge this man. I don’t know him, his kids, his family, or his whole story. He is free to choose his way through life.
But I'm also obligated to speak accurately and fairly about what he's doing: he is seriously concerned about severe risks to students and staff yet remains silent out of self-preservation. He chooses what benefits him and his family over what he feels is good and right.
I've personally heard stories and sentiments like this from dozens and dozens of people in my own conversations. People I know and care about. Perhaps you have too. People who resist or refuse to speak up about what they see in their workplace for fear of isolation, retribution, or getting fired. Too much to lose, apparently.
Giving someone health insurance and a job may not change their beliefs of what is good and right, but it can buy their silence.
Allow some people to maintain their current employment situation, and they'll comply even when they believe it is wrong or negatively affects a group as impressionable and vulnerable as children.
If all it takes to suppress what a person believes is good and right, silence their voice, and secure their compliance is a job with health insurance, a pension, and social acceptance within a group they don't even align with, then you have discovered exactly how much it costs to buy their integrity.
The time is now. Do the work.
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