That's a really good point, Erulisse. I was writing this post quickly so I could get out the door to a doc's appointment, and I may have not been careful enough.

I think there are lots of bad reasons to be silent. Apathy is just one of them. And like you, I have stood by silently and watched outrageous things happen. I like to think I'd be brave enough to speak up even if there were much worse consequences than I'm every likely to face in America.

What impresses me so much about this scene is that the silence does say something, and it says something in a way that balances the need for survival (you know, to avoid heavy retribution) and the need to not make it look like you're acquiescing to an unjust situation. Sometimes that's not possible. And sometimes it's not enough. In those situations, silence becomes more fear than empowerment. I think it comes down to the situation whether this kind of silence is actually possible.

That's just my opinion. I appreciate you pointing out there are other options, because it's definitely a point worth remembering.