DIVERSITY DICTIONARY™: COMPLICIT
When one chooses to be neutral, silent and to take no action against social inequality and therefore actively upholds the violence of systemic oppression. #DiversityDictionary 1/

The dictionary says ‘complicit’ = ‘involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong’. Silence & inaction against systemic oppression are not ‘illegal’, but they can be seen as ‘morally wrong' cos there’s a choice to perpetuate the everyday inequalities 2/

As we approach the holiday season, we may find ourselves at the dinner table with a relative or friend who says something that is racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist or in any other way outwardly or covertly oppressive. 3/

In those moments, it’s very easy to choose to say nothing rather than speak up and try to educate them on why what they’ve said is problematic. This is an example of being complicit. 4/

Complicity can happen for many reasons. It could be out of lack of awareness or education, privilege, because it benefits you, or because you don’t want to risk your relationships - or your job. It may be because you don’t have the emotional capacity for the conversation 5/

This is a good chance to remember that there are many ways we can speak up and take action. As we approach the end of 2020, we must not let the global political events of this year get left behind. If there’s anything that gets left behind, we hope it will be complicity. 6/6