“Nice and Quiet”

Why are people (read “women”) considered good if they are “nice and quiet”?

In my family, growing up, I often heard neighbors called “good” if they were “nice and quiet.”

Children should be “nice and quiet” – especially girls. Really? Is this what we are called to be? Nice and quiet, obedient, compliant? For who? To who?

Wrongly believing we should be “nice and quiet” keeps us from being outraged – not nice – when confronted with the abominations of poverty, abuse of women and children, unfair trade laws, lack of health insurance and lack of social safety nets for those struggling.

Just for today speak out. Say what you think. Use your voice. Take up space and room in the world. Spread out. “Make a joyful noise.” Let the universe know that you are here, alive and in the world.

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