Do You Self-Silence?

How often do you self-silence yourself?

"Self-silence" is the term that is used when people who hold minority viewpoints on controversial topics self-silence when discussing their opinions.

Researchers in a recent study conducted at Ohio State University found that participants who disagreed with a majority view avoided fully expressing their stance and engaged in behaviors that made it appear they aligned with the majority.

Therefore, those who self-silence often acted in opposition to their true beliefs.

The suppression of minority views in this way has the effect of making it seem that majority opinions are more widely held and stronger than they really are.

Why do people self-silence?

It is much easier to not rock the boat.

Why introduce potential conflict to a relationship?

It is also important to remember that the natural human condition is to be a conformist.

Human beings have a "herd instinct" every bit as strong as many animals.

Throughout most of human history it was very dangerous to one's security to separate themselves too far from the herd.

That carries over to today. You often feel better and more secure in conforming and not sticking your head out from the crowd. Being part of the crowd carries less risk. It is safer to be a part of the crowd so you can avoid being called out or noticed.

The greatest example of self-silencing we have seen in recent years was during the 2016 election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

The overwhelming consensus was that Hillary Clinton would beat Trump easily.

Trump supporters were portrayed as miscreants by the media.

Hillary herself referred to many Trump supporters as a "basket of deplorables".

During the 2016  presidential campaign not many people who supported Trump were willing to admit it.

However, Trump won.

There was a lot of self-silencing going on.

People did not have to worry about self-silencing when they went into the privacy of the voting booth.

That is a big reason Trump's win in 2016 was a shock to so many people.

Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-09/us-election-of-president-gets-mixed-results-from-voters/8010774

Source: https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2016/11/clinton-election-night-party-new-york-trump-107218

"How could this happen. No one I talk to is for Trump?"

This caused a lot of angst and anger that continues today as Trump is serving a second term.

Source: https://www.lohud.com/picture-gallery/news/2025/02/18/see-photos-of-not-my-presidents-day-protests-across-us/79060182007/

The same is true on any number of other controversial issues that liberals hold dear to their heart and the media portrays as if they are majority mainstream issues.

A good portion of the liberal agenda is promoted by vocal voices on the left and reinforced in the media to make it seem it is a majority position.

This is particularly true on college campuses.

A recent study involving 1,452 confidential interviews at Northwestern University and the University of Michigan found that an astounding 88% of students had pretended to hold more progressive views than they truly believed at some point in order to succeed socially or academically.

Of the 88% who admitted to self silencing, 78% said they self-censor their beliefs on gender identity, 72% on politics, and 68% on family values. That’s a lot of people who are self-silencing in order to fit it.

Source: https://thehill.com/opinion/education/5446702-performative-virtue-signaling-has-become-a-threat-to-higher-ed/

The Ohio State study concluded that self-silencing can have very concerning effects.

“It leads to a public perception that the minority viewpoint doesn’t exist – it is less important. It becomes this vicious cycle where people’s true thoughts aren’t expressed and the public belief is the majority opinion is overwhelming and can’t be changed,” she said.

“That’s especially true if those with the minority viewpoints are behaviorally going along with the majority.  It is just more evidence that the majority opinion is dominant.”

The findings call for people to become more aware of their own beliefs and how they express them. Those with minority views need to be willing to discuss their true beliefs, even if they feel uncomfortable, Sintov said.

And on the other side, those in the majority need to be willing to hear the thoughts of the other side, even if they don’t agree with them.

“We need to be open to civil discourse in our society. It has to be a two-way street,” Sintov said.

I am as guilty as anyone in self-silencing at times in order to avoid conflict.

However, I never pretend to have views that I do not believe in.

I just stay silent.

That is not easy for me because on most controversial issues I have done a considerable amount of research and I can back up my views and can challenge those who have the opposite opinion with facts and data.

When I do, the typical response is "I have never heard that" or "That can't be true". 

There is almost never a reasoned response. 

You can also usually tell when someone you are with is self-silencing themselves.

If you are in a group talking about politics or some other controversial issue notice the person who does not join in the conversation and does not say anything. You can be sure they do not agree with you and are self-silencing.

I am told by many BeeLine readers that what they value most about my blog is that it gives them factual information they can use to support their views and opinions with friends and relatives.

Armed with facts or data they do not feel that they have to self-silence.

They feel better equipped to engage and debate important issues.

Be aware of self-silencing---both yours and others.

Everyone should be more willing to engage in civil discourse to debate and discuss important topics.

It is only through this process that we can better understand all sides of an issue and arrive at the optimal decisions for our society.

This is exactly what made Charlie Kirk so special.

He purposely went on to college campuses where self-silencing is most in evidence.

Charlie gave students with conservative views the confidence they were not alone.

He also was willing to draw out the views and opinions of the those on the Left in a civil discussion and debate.

In that process many younger Americans were exposed to ideas, facts and viewpoints they had never considering before. 

The result is that youngest generation of Americans has become more conservative than their older brothers and sisters. 

 

Charlie Kirk is not the sole reason for this transformation, but his influence was undeniable in this emerging trend.

Younger people no longer believe they have to self-silence.

On the other hand,  considering the astounding number of people who celebrated in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, there are clearly a large number of Leftists who should be self-silencing a lot more.

They do not seem to comprehend they are in the minority.

The silent majority found its voice in Charlie Kirk.

Many will never self-silence again due to the example he set.