Blog Post #1

Dawson Danner
Communication 160
Blog #1
September 5, 2017

Quote:  "Talking, speaking out, or demonstrating your knowledge, and making yourself known are often taken as signs of 'real' engagement." -Ann Russo

In today's society, many people have a difficult time speaking up whether it is in class, with their family, or with their friends.  After reading "Between Speech and Silence: Reflections on Accountability", Russo hinted at many important aspects of the difference between speech and silence that made me think more about the issue.  Not only do people not speak up about what they believe, it can also be a problem in regards to engaging with another person in a simple conversation.

According to the article, "Reasons why you should speak up and why it is important to your life", the author describes reasons in which people tend to not speak up.  These reasons include worrying what people may think of you, letting people intimidate you, overall self esteem, fear that what you say will have no impact.  Although these reasons were things I had already known, hearing them from another source connect me stronger to the overall topic of not speaking up.  In the past, I had a very hard time expressing my own opinion and speaking up about certain topics.  Now that I am grown up and more mature, I no longer am self conscious and am able to speak out my own opinions and perspectives.

In conclusion, according to Russo, many people fear to speak up in many different types of situations that they are in.  Whether it is giving an opinion, or speaking up during a simple conversation with another person, talking, speaking out, or demonstrating your knowledge on a certain topic are all ways to show signs of real engagement.

Article I used: https://www.warriorforum.com/mind-warriors/1210187-reasons-why-you-should-speak-up-why-important-your-life.html