Speak Up

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”

Proverbs 31:8 (NIV)

If you know me, you know I enjoy pop culture. I can pull lines from songs, sitcoms, and especially movies—some of my favorites come from Denzel Washington films: “King Kong ain’t got nothing on me,” “I will not bury my son, my son will bury me,” “The loudest one in the room is the weakest one in the room,” and “Man ain’t spelled G-U-N, son.” Those lines are memorable—but there’s another that carries a different kind of weight: “Who will cry for the little boy?”

That line from Antwone Fisher points to a child enduring deep trauma with no one to advocate for him—no one to speak up, no one to stand in the gap.

As we approach May 19th and prepare to vote in the primary election, we’re reminded that we do have a voice. But the deeper question is: will we use it well? It’s easy to complain about decisions, systems, and leadership, yet still misuse—or neglect—the power we’ve been given. Misusing our voice can look like failing to research candidates, voting based on familiarity or favoritism, or repeatedly supporting leadership that hasn’t served the community well.

In Proverbs 31, King Lemuel shares wisdom passed down from his mother. Among her instructions is this charge: speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. There are people who don’t have the opportunity to vote, who rely on others to advocate for justice on their behalf. Our voice is not just a right—it’s a responsibility.

So the question remains:

How are you using your voice?

Have you ever needed someone to speak up for you?

And how can we help others find—and use—their voice again?