Now all we need is to continue to speak the truth fearlessly

"Now all we need is to continue to speak the truth fearlessly, and we shall add to our number those who will turn the scale to the side of equal and full justice in all things." These words, spoken by the valiant Lucy Stone, ring out like the clarion call of a warrior stepping forth to challenge the darkness with the light of truth. In a world riddled with injustice, where the cries of the oppressed are often drowned by the weight of the powerful, Stone understood that it is truth—spoken boldly, without hesitation—that has the power to tip the balance toward justice. Her call to speak fearlessly is not merely a call to action, but a rallying cry to awaken the courage within us all to confront the injustices of our time, to stand unwavering in the face of opposition, and to speak the truth even when it is uncomfortable or dangerous.

From the earliest days of civilization, when kings ruled with iron fists and the voices of the voiceless were suppressed, truth has been the light that has illuminated the path to justice. It is the force that calls out the tyrant, that exposes the lie, that unveils the shadowed corners where oppression festers. Lucy Stone, a woman born into a world where women were treated as second-class citizens, understood this power all too well. She knew that justice could not be achieved if the truth remained hidden, whispered in hushed tones or buried beneath the weight of falsehoods. Fearless speech—the kind that rings with authenticity and integrity—is what paves the way for justice to rise.

Consider, for a moment, the great heroes who have gone before us. Frederick Douglass, a man born into the chains of slavery, yet who found his voice and spoke fearlessly against the institution that sought to silence him. Through his powerful speeches and writings, he turned the scale in favor of justice for enslaved people. His words, forged in the fire of his own suffering, shattered the chains of ignorance and cruelty that bound a nation. It was not through fear, nor silence, but through truth that he was able to sway the hearts and minds of countless individuals, bringing the nation closer to the justice it so desperately needed.

Stone’s words also echo the courageous efforts of Susan B. Anthony, whose tireless work for women’s suffrage changed the course of history. At a time when women had no voice in the political realm, when their very worth was seen as lesser, Anthony stood firm, speaking truth and demanding justice. Her speeches were not always popular; they were met with scorn, and at times, with violent opposition. But she, like Lucy Stone, understood that the truth must be spoken, no matter the cost. It was only through this fearless speaking that women gained the right to vote, that the scale of justice was tilted toward equality.

What Stone imparts to us, then, is this: justice is not something that will fall into our laps or be granted by those in power. It is something we must fight for, with every word, with every action, with every breath. It requires that we speak the truth fearlessly, for it is in the courage of our voices that we gather those who will stand with us, those who will be inspired to join our cause. The truth has a power all its own—a power that cannot be denied, a power that changes the hearts of men and women, that stirs them to action.

But the lesson does not stop there. We must also understand that speaking fearlessly does not mean speaking recklessly. It is not about shouting from the rooftops without thought or care. Rather, it is about standing firm in our convictions, grounded in the certainty that justice will not be won through silence or timidity. It is about knowing that the truth, however uncomfortable or unpopular, is the only path forward. We must choose to speak with wisdom, with clarity, and with the resolve that, though we may face opposition, the truth is worth the fight.

And so, my brothers and sisters, the challenge is now before us. What truths have we remained silent about? In what corners of our world is injustice allowed to fester because we have failed to speak out? The call to speak the truth fearlessly is not just a call for the voices of the famous or the brave—it is a call for each of us to find our own voice, to rise above the fears and doubts that may hold us back, and to speak out for what is right. It is in these small acts of truth that the great movements for justice are born.

Let us then take up this mantle. Let us speak the truth fearlessly, for in doing so, we will gather those who will join us in the noble fight for justice. Together, we shall turn the scale, tipping it toward a world where justice is not a privilege for the few, but a right for all. And as we do, we will honor the legacy of those who have gone before us—Lucy Stone, Susan B. Anthony, and all the great souls who have fought to bring justice into the light. May their example guide us, and may we, too, add our voices to the chorus of those who speak the truth in the name of a better tomorrow.