Truth Makes Trust Possible

See something, Say something,” or “Snitches get Stitches.” We live in a confusing time. You would think filing a report on criminal or unethical behavior would be a simple task. The agencies that are responsible for receiving this type of activity encourage us to file a report. Companies have departments set up to ensure that practices and people are operating in a way that benefits customers and employees. Yet, an undercurrent runs in the opposite direction of doing this stated right thing. Fiduciary responsibility means that we are to be keepers of the public’s trust. Trust is the result of shared experiences that allow us to be able to expect certain outcomes in a given situation.

Public trust allows an expectation of protection for the people from those who have harmful intent. There are oversight agencies that exist for the sole purpose of protecting the people from those who would take advantage of them. Whether it is the Security Exchange Commission (SEC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Human Resources Department, the FBI, GBI, or the local first responders, the public has a reasonable expectation of protection from these groups.

So here comes the victim to file a report about the negative impact of someone else’s behavior and here are the questions they face: “Did you lock your door?” “Were your keys in the car?” “What were you wearing?” “You should have known better.” “President Obama is responsible for the increase in racism.” No wonder there are so many unreported incidents when the truth is confronted with skepticism and accusation.

When a dominant person or group feels that their power is threatened, there are visible and measurable reactions. When an abusive partner wants to maintain control, it usually produces additional abusive behavior they hope others will not be able to identify. It can be retaliation by an employer, verbal abuse rather than physical abuse, or even turning the tables by reversing the blame to the victim.

There are many who want to blame the victims of racist behavior for the increase in racist behavior. In August 1963, there was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and then in September 1963, four little girls died in Birmingham from a church bombing. This is just one of many instances against the effort to improve our society. The old cliché about sticks and stones breaking bones has given way to words that do hurt. Some people want neighbors to see each other as enemies while they continue to sow discord and hide their hands.

We must be united in saying and doing what is right rather than convenient. Trust is a two-way street, not a one-way proposition. Convenience blames the agency or the system. The real burden for a more perfect union lies with the people. When faced with a great foe, we must have enough faith to stand on the truth: the truth of real history, the truth of protecting one another, and the truth of holding a person responsible for their unethical, illegal, or immoral acts. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Let’s treat those who have been victims of atrocities better than we have; then, the truth will make trust possible.

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