Have you ever stood up for others when they were facing injustice?

Have you ever raised your voice against an unfairness or mistreatment to someone?

One of my favourite movies is Scent of a Woman. Don’t be fooled by the name. It’s not a movie about romance. It’s about a suicidal journey of the blind, irascible Colonel Frank Slade, accompanied by the prep-school boy, Charlie. Frank lost faith in his life, while Charlie was in a trouble made by his classmates. Dramatically, this journey ended up saving one’s life and another’s future. I believe most of the audience would appreciate the integrity of Charlie, who refused to succumb to the power and trade his classmates for his own future, while I strongly admire the courage and wisdom demonstrated by Colonel Slade in defending Charlie.

Here is a quote from Charles De Montesquieu, a politician and philosopher of French enlightenment period: “An injustice committed against anyone is a threat to everyone.” but in the real world, Bystander effect is visible everywhere. People simply stand by while someone is oppressed or hurt, because they think it’s none of their business, or it’s a wise way to protect themselves. As a result, such a stance eventually encourages the perpetrators and more cost will be paid. As the prominent German pastor Martin Niemoller spoke out about the Holocaust after the war: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak out for me.”

After so many years, I can still clearly remember a scene as if it happened yesterday. In my primary school class, a feminine boy was always the target of ridicule. He was nicknamed sissy; he was refused entry to the men’s room. It went to such an extreme that one day some boys took his hat and threw it around, amused at watching him running about futilely. As he struggled to get his hat back, he was pushed to the ground, and slapped on the face.

You might be wondering what I did at that moment? Don’t be fooled by my size, I was a boy with Chinese Kungfu. I stepped in and defended the innocent boy adamantly. 

Unfortunately, that lived in my imagination only. The truth is I remained silent, just as all the students around. Over these years, I often have flashbacks of those innocent eyes seeking help. I understand I was not short of compassion -- I was short of courage.

This regret remained even after I came to Australia. One day, my university classmates had an intense debate on WeChat. Topics ranged from the war in Ukraine, Taiwan strait, Free economy. One of my classmates always had contrary opinions with the so called “mainstream”.  He was labelled as narcissist and was kicked out of the group finally.  Then, the voice in my deep heart sounded again: “Vincent, it’s your time to speak out.” So, I posted a comment, read as: “I am shocked to see that one of our classmates was moved out of the group. Even though I didn’t fully agree with him, I still appreciated the opportunity to listen to diverse voices. I appreciate your setting up a platform to allow us to exchange life experiences, maintain our friendship. please keep it that way.”

You know what happened next? Was I kicked out of the group either? You are right, I was untouched, and the cynic was invited back!

Al Pacino well deserves the Oscar prize for his outstanding performance in Scent of a Women. His speech at the end of the movie is particularly impressive. “Now I have come to the crossroads in my life, I always knew what right path was. Without exception, I knew, but I never took it. You know why? It was too damn hard!” But Frank finally took a right path, giving his own life another chance. “Let him continue on his journey. Believe me, don’t destroy it, protect it, embrace it, it’s gonna make you proud one day, I promise you.”

This article is a transcript of a recent address to Toastmasters by Vincent Chen.