Robert Reich highlights that in a world of chaos, conflict, fear and injustice it’s understandable, that in our humanness, we may choose denial, despair or silence. Reich writes: “When most of us believe that nothing can be done, or assume nothing will be done, or think that silence is the only practical choice, we fuel more monstrosity” in the world.

And so, thank God for unexpected, inspiring examples like Emily Feiner, a 64-year-old social worker from Nyack, New York. Last week Feiner went to her Republican congressman’s town hall meeting and simply asked him — Mike Lawler — what would cause him to disagree with President Trump, what would it take for him to stand up to the President.

When Lawler gave a non-answer, Feiner didn’t accept it. She bravely continued to ask her question and was told to leave. When she refused, state troopers lifted her out of her chair and carried her out of the meeting. The audience erupted in calls of “shame, shame, shame” against Lawler and the troopers. 

Emily Feiner isn’t a radical. She describes herself as an ordinary American.  She has voted Republican in the past but she has “had enough”. As Reich writes: “Emily Feiner isn’t living in denial, nor despair. She has chosen to no longer remain silent.” She has decided she must raise her voice.

Reich is right. Across our globe, there are too many powerful, self-serving “monsters” on the loose. There are too many innocent victims. There are too many people living with injustice. There are too many unseen and unheard.

Emily Feiner reminds us that so often change comes as ordinary people dare raise their voices. And monsters don’t like it when more and more good people refuse to be silent!