A Voice for the Voiceless?

[MysticMissMisty]

Hello.

In Proverbs 31:8, Lemuel is advised to “be a voice for the voiceless”. Some translations render this word as “mute”.

As a member of a marginalized community (the disability community), this phrase which describes us as “voiceless”, I’ll be honest, rather bothers me. Especially in recent history, my community and other marginalized groups have been increasingly finding the voices we always had to speak out for and help ourselves, though we, of course, appreciate very much those whom we call “allies” (non-members of these marginalized groups who respect and listen to us and seek to help us further our quest for acceptance and equality).

My point is that, technically, we disadvantaged have always had a voice, but we used to not be given so much of an opportunity to use it. We also have only in recent centuries discovered that we have the right to speak up for ourselves. we in the disability community have a motto: Nothing About Us without Us, which means that, while we appreciate allies, as I have said, we must also ourselves always be at the table in discussions about us/our issues.

So, then, the fact that Sacred Scripture describes us as essentially “voiceless” bothers me, as it seems erroneously to give the impression that we have and have had no voice whatever in our own affairs/advocacy.

Guys, what am I missing here? Is there some other way to understand this passage without invoking ableist tropes as our community’s being “voiceless” (a trope that, believe it or not, despite our own activism, still often comes up today)?

Now, I am no Hebrew scholar (I only know Ancient Greek and Latin), so I’m wondering, for those who are more educated on this than I, if the “mute” or “voiceless” here refers not to the marginalized but to those who DO NOT speak out for the marginalized, so that the meaning would be that Lemuel should speak up for (i.e., in place of) others who do not? Indeed, the next phrase is often translated as “those who are appointed to destruction” – a phrase that can be used for sinners, perhaps, here, sinners who are considered so through the sin of omission involving not speaking up for those who are oppressed and who are perhaps even content with this oppression.

Indeed, is it sinful for marginalized communities to speak up for ourselves? Or, should we only rely on the non-marginalized to speak for us? Are we truly “voiceless” or are we at least supposed to be?

 

[Lou2U]

Indeed, is it sinful for marginalized communities to speak up for ourselves?

Of course it is not a sin.

I am no scholar, I don’t know Hebrew. I’m not Catholic nor am I religious at all. But I know it is not a sin for marginalised communities to speak out about the injustices they face. Of course it is not.

 

[Elf01]

Guys, what am I missing here? Is there some other way to understand this passage without invoking ableist tropes as our community’s being “voiceless” (a trope that, believe it or not, despite our own activism, still often comes up today)?

I don’t know if this will help but while women have voices they would not have got a vote without men. While they did advocate for themselves they needed men to hear them and take up their cause.

Children may not have the language to express that they are being abused - or know where to go.

The unborn will never be able to speak for themselves.

 

[Annie]

Decades ago, many disabled people were placed in institutions where they might live their entire lives.

They were voiceless.

Then some people started “being voices for the voiceless” by speaking out against these injustices. And then the disabled were able to become their own voices.

But there are other people who are marginalized and “voiceless” in our society, and we should be voices for them now.

 

[LiveSkype]

Decades ago, many disabled people were placed in institutions where they might live their entire lives.

They were voiceless.

Then some people started “being voices for the voiceless” by speaking out against these injustices. And then the disabled were able to become their own voices.

But there are other people who are marginalized and “voiceless” in our society, and we should be voices for them now.

Actually, as someone who is autistic and is into disability advocacy, I can tell you that the disability community still deals with prejudice and discrimination with things such as discrimination from employment, a quality education, and being able to enjoy things that non-disabled people enjoy, like going to a public event that is inaccessible for whatever reason.

Many of us try to speak up about these sorts of injustices, but more often or not we are often ignored by non-disabled people, often left in our own little echo chamber (which kinda frustrates me, TBH). It would be nice if there were people who would LISTEN and appreciate what we need.

(I myself hold the Pro-Life community somewhat responsible for this, as they are more than willing to speak up against terminating a child diagnosed with a disability in-utero, but often have NO IDEA what it is like raising a kid with special needs, let alone what happens to them when they become adults. But that’s another thread for another time…)

So, @MysticMissMary, If you read the next verse, it says: “Open your mouth, judge justly, defend the needy and the poor!” (Proverbs 31:9, New American Bible: Revised Edition). So, as a king, Lemuel is advised to use his royal platform to stand up with the marginalized, not for them.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

OP, I’m not sure why, if you are in a position to speak up for yourself, you’re somehow applying this Scripture section to yourself. Obviously you’re not in the position of not having a voice, at least at this point in history.

There have been throughout history people who literally could not speak up for themselves. They may have been locked away in prison, enslaved, unable to speak the language of those in power, completely without any communication channel, or in a position where if they tried to communicate their rights and needs they would be immediately severely punished or even killed.

It sounds like what’s bothering you is the perception that your particular group has no voice when really you do and are tired of having other people speak on your behalf. Also, you and your group are not going to suffer any negative consequences from speaking out at this point in time. The worst that will happen is that people may be dismissive, but you’re not going to be punished for speaking and you will likely get some kind of a platform as marginalized groups in Western society currently do.

In any event, I don’t think the Scripture section is referring to you and your group.

 

[Lea101]

Indeed, is it sinful for marginalized communities to speak up for ourselves? Or, should we only rely on the non-marginalized to speak for us? Are we truly “voiceless” or are we at least supposed to be?

I think you’re reading too much into it. You can always stand up for yourself and your community and it’s admirable. Not sinful at all.

In today’s language, it’s just saying that we must use our ‘privilege’ to help the vulnerable. Aka allies. The reason why they’re asked to do this is because it’s a Christian act of love to help those in need.

Also, that’s how real change occurs. Nothing much would happen for women’s rights if men didn’t sign those bills.

So you are not expected to shut up. Others are expected to stand alongside you.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Right, I’m also not getting where in the Scripture it says that certain groups of people are “supposed to be” voiceless or supposed to let others speak for them. That seems to be somebody really reaching to make a strange interpretation of Scripture.

 

[BartholomewB]

What have you found in this verse that makes you think it applies to people with disabilities, other than those who are literally mute, unable to speak?

There is no suggestion at all that it is in any way wrong, or sinful, for people to speak up for themselves.