There is more of it in our lives than we should hear: "That's just the way things are." "This will blow over." "You're being overdramatic." But what if that feeling in the pit of your stomach is your last warning? Injustice, cruelty, and dysfunction may look normal because silence enables them to establish themselves so deeply.
“This is not normal” isn’t just a phrase. It’s a wake-up call.
The Danger of Gradual Erosion
Human beings have an extraordinary capacity for adaptation. We adjust to new schedules, shifting economies, personal hardships, and even collective trauma. But sometimes, this strength can backfire. We become so used to surviving that we forget to question what we’re surviving.
A gradual normalization takes place. Abuse of power begins as an exception, then becomes routine. Disrespect becomes "just their personality." Marginalization gets rationalized by tradition or "policy." In time, we stop pushing back, noticing, and naming.
And then it’s too late.
Across over 2,000 cities today, citizens are gathering to oppose authoritarianism, political spectacle, and the erosion of democratic norms in the wake of the nationwide "No Kings" protests. There is a danger involved, however. In several cities, peaceful protesters have been met with militarized police responses, curfews, and even threats of deadly force from local officials. Violence, arrest, and public retaliation loom large, especially for those on the front lines. Still, thousands march, showing that even when fear and fearlessness are present, the courage to say "This is not normal" can ignite powerful movements.
Why We Don’t Speak Up
lost relationships, being labeled “difficult,” or even physical danger in some contexts. From childhood or culture, many of us have been trained to keep our heads down, go along to get along, and avoid making waves.
But silence doesn’t protect us. It just protects the problem.
The longer we pretend something is normal, the harder it becomes to undo. That applies to toxic relationships, unjust laws, corrupt leadership, harmful work environments, and even internalized beliefs about our own worth. Naming the truth is the first step toward change, but it’s also the scariest.
The Power of Saying “This Is Not Normal”
When someone finally says the words—out loud, in public, with trembling courage—it often sparks a chain reaction. One voice permits others. One story breaks the dam. Speaking out breaks the spell of silence and begins the process of reclaiming power, dignity, and hope.
Think of every major shift in history: civil rights, women’s suffrage, whistleblowing scandals, #MeToo, movements for climate justice, and mental health awareness. They all began with someone saying, “This is not okay. This is not how it should be. This is not normal.”
Before It’s Too Late
Let it be known—clearly and without apology—that some of us saw the warning signs. We recognized the slow corrosion of truth, compassion, and justice long before it reached a breaking point. We watched as power was consolidated, dissent was silenced, and fear was used as a tool to manipulate and divide. Today, I choose to use my voice not just to protest, but to bear witness. To name what is happening. To make it undeniable. Because history is not just shaped by the victors—it is shaped by those who dared to speak the truth when it was dangerous to do.
I want it recorded that I did not stay silent. I did not normalize cruelty, nor did I look away while those in power twisted that power into something unrecognizable. I spoke, I questioned, I resisted—because silence is complicity, and apathy is a vote for the status quo. When law enforcement officials preemptively threaten deadly force against protesters, they are not keeping peace—they are committing premeditated acts of intimidation that should be treated as crimes. When future generations look back on this time, may they know that some of us tried. Some of us stood firm. Some of us raised our voices not because it was easy or safe, but because it was right.
There are times in history—and in our personal lives—when the window for change begins to close. When harm becomes codified. When consequences become irreversible. When lives, rights, or futures are on the line.
If you’re feeling that urgency, trust it.
Speak while your voice still matters. Speak while your story can still make a difference. Speak not just for yourself, but for those who are still afraid, still watching, wondering if they’re the only ones who see what’s really going on.
You are not alone.
And this is not normal.
News Correspondence:
Washington, D.C. – “No Kings” Banner at the Capitol
Demonstrators are pictured in Hancock Adams Common. Photograph: Boston Globe/Getty Images
🔗 Read full coverage on The Guardian
Boston, Massachusetts – Colonial Echoes at the State House
Demonstrators in West Palm Beach, Florida. Photograph: Julien Pretot (REUTERS)
🔗 Full article on El País (Spanish)
Houston, Texas – Thousands Rally at City Hall
People gather outside Houston City Hall ahead of a planned No Kings protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Ashleigh Lucas/Houston Chronicle
Los Angeles, California – “Let Them Eat Teslas”
During the June 14 No Kings protest in Los Angeles, California, a masked demonstrator holds a cardboard sign that reads “Let Them Eat Teslas,” highlighting public frustration with authoritarianism and billionaire elitism.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or injustice, speak to a trusted support person or contact a professional.
For mental health support, visit Chandler Nobles Counseling or check out the National Alliance on Mental Illness at NAMI.org.
Want to learn more about advocacy, emotional boundaries, or healing from systemic trauma? Read more on Harvest & Harmony.
