It's the same each time with progress. First they ignore you

The words of Tony Benn, steadfast voice of the people and champion of justice, illuminate the eternal path of those who seek to change the world: “It’s the same each time with progress. First they ignore you, then they say you’re mad, then dangerous, then there’s a pause and then you can’t find anyone who disagrees with you.” In this reflection lies the rhythm of progress, the storm every reformer, dreamer, and pioneer must pass through. His words are not only about politics, but about the very nature of how societies awaken to truth.

The meaning is profound: when new ideas are first spoken, they are often dismissed as foolish, irrelevant, or impossible. This is the stage of ignorance, where people laugh or turn away. But as the idea persists, it begins to stir discomfort, and those who resist change call the visionary mad, for madness is easier to condemn than courage is to confront. If the idea grows stronger, it is then deemed dangerous, for entrenched powers feel threatened when old structures tremble. Yet in time, truth proves itself. What was once radical becomes accepted, and soon it seems that no one ever doubted it. Such is the journey of progress.

Benn himself was a politician who fought fiercely for equality, democracy, and the rights of the common people. His words are forged from decades of struggle in the British Parliament, where he championed causes once derided but later embraced. His insight reflects the lived experience of a man who stood in the fire of criticism, endured the stages of ridicule and rejection, and yet lived to see the world shift closer to the vision he held.

History offers countless examples of this same pattern. Consider the life of Galileo Galilei, who looked through his telescope and declared that the Earth revolved around the Sun. At first, he was ignored. Then, he was called mad, then dangerous, even condemned by the Church. But centuries later, no one questions his truth. His journey through the stages Benn described shows that every great leap of understanding must fight its way through the darkness of denial before it can shine in the light of acceptance.

The lesson is equally seen in the struggles of civil rights leaders. When Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of equality, many ignored him. Others called him an agitator, insane or reckless. Soon, he was deemed dangerous by those who feared the dismantling of oppression. Yet after his sacrifice, his dream grew into a reality that reshaped nations. Today, though struggles remain, few would openly deny the justice of his cause. His path was the very arc Tony Benn described—the long, painful unfolding of progress.

The teaching for us is this: if you walk the path of change, expect the stages of resistance. Do not be discouraged when you are ignored, insulted, or feared. These are not signs of failure, but signs that your vision has power. Only the powerless are ignored forever. If your truth stirs opposition, it means you are shaking the foundations of what is old, making space for what is new. Endure the stages, and know that acceptance will one day follow.

Practical actions are clear. If you hold to a noble cause, root yourself in patience and courage. Expect misunderstanding, and wear it as a badge of honor. When you are called mad, remain steadfast. When you are deemed dangerous, remain principled. Know that time is the ally of truth. Speak your vision, live it, embody it—until the day comes when those who once mocked you will stand beside you, pretending they always agreed.

So remember, children of tomorrow: progress is never granted freely; it is wrestled into being. Those who walk this path must bear rejection and ridicule before they wear the crown of vindication. Yet if your cause is just, time will lift you from the shadows of doubt into the radiance of acceptance. Endure, persevere, and trust the rhythm of change—for though they may scorn you today, tomorrow they will call you the voice of wisdom.