The power of the quiet majority, the value of discernment and inclusivity for a just society

The Responsibility of Silence

The world often seems to be driven by the logic of the loudest voices. From the loudspeakers in the streets, under the studio lights, to the currents of the internet, what captures people's attention is usually sharp language, striking slogans, and at times, provocative emotions. However, beneath the shadow of that intense noise, there are those who quietly support the community without words. They go unnoticed, yet they responsibly take on their duties every day, striving to not be indifferent to the suffering of others, and gradually pushing the world toward a better direction while respecting laws and norms. Their silence is not mere indifference it is a careful awareness of the weight of words, and a profound inner resolve to choose solidarity over division.

The Need for Change

However, times have changed. The quiet majority can no longer protect the community merely through silence. Especially now, when the word 'minority' is consumed almost as a moral exemption, if we do not discern who that minority is and what they are asserting, we risk opening the door to another injustice in the name of 'justice'.

The Two Faces of a Minority

Not all minorities share the same face. We must now clearly recognize the two faces of minorities. The first face is that of those who raise their voices against the injustices of the times, proclaiming the truth. They illuminate the way like an unextinguished lantern, uncovering uncomfortable truths and shining through the silence of the majority. Countless social movements, advancements in human rights, and warnings and actions for the environment stem from their courage. They do not raise their voices solely for themselves. Ultimately, their voices point toward the dignity of all, and the silent majority must walk alongside them. No, if they do not walk together, their cries will merely echo. The courage of these individuals becomes a wave only when it meets the caution of the silent majority, transforming institutions and advancing society.

Face of Hate

However, there is another minority with a different face. They attempt to conceal existing privileges while appropriating the language of victims to entrench their own vested interests. They justify hatred and exclusion, package collective interests as if they were universal justice, and aim to dominate the public discourse with the loudness of their voices. They are not the kind of group that the quiet majority should embrace. Rather, they pose a risk of disrupting the community and turning institutions into a shield for a specific group, so we must clearly reveal their true nature with appropriate boundaries and discernment.

The Role of the Quiet Majority

So, how can we distinguish between the two? The criterion depends on what values the quiet majority lives by. Human rights, coexistence, responsibility, transparency, mutual respect—voices that adhere to these universal standards, even if they sound uncomfortable and rough, are worth listening to. On the other hand, claims filled with hatred and discrimination, manipulation and exclusion, must be firmly guarded against, even if they present themselves as 'oppressed minorities.' This is the very ethic that a dignified community must uphold.

From Silence to Action

The silent majority is no longer merely a presence that supports the community with the weight of silence. They must become citizens who make judgments. While opening their hearts to those who truly need a helping hand, they must show a quiet yet firm refusal to voices that undermine the values and ethics of the community. This is not to provoke division, but rather a quiet determination to clarify the common good we seek to protect.

Social Responsibility

This kind of discernment should not be left solely to individual conscience. It must also be cultivated through the design of social systems and the practice of culture. The public forum, the field of education, and the language of media should not focus merely on the volume of voices but must center around the direction of those words and their intrinsic values. To ensure that hatred and manipulation cannot take root, the participation and wisdom of the quiet majority are essential. The power to uphold the ethics of the community firmly and gracefully, without ridicule and violence—that is the deepest and strongest force possessed by the quiet majority.

Conditions for a Just Society

A just society is not maintained merely by the number of the majority. It becomes possible when the 'just majority' stands in solidarity with the 'just minority' and draws a clear line against the parasitic minority. At that time, our society will be evaluated not by the volume of voices, but by the direction of values those voices are directed towards.

At the Threshold of Decision

Right now we stand at the threshold of decision. Will we follow the vague goodwill that uncritically embraces all minorities, or will we protect the dignity of our community with discerning acceptance and firm boundaries? The quiet majority must become the compass of this era. Judgement that is undisturbed by passion, a sense of responsibility that does not hide behind trends, and a consistent attitude toward universal ethics— all of this is already latent within the quiet silence.

The Voice of Silence

And now, it is time for that silence to speak. If silent practice has been the foundation of the community, it is now the time to rewrite the justice of this era with discernible voices. That in itself is the quiet revolution held by the silent majority, the most silent yet the strongest.