The Courage to Listen

Amplifying Marginalized Voices

I remember when we had to learn basic listening skills in graduate school. I was a little insulted. After all, I was in my twenties; I knew how to listen. In fact, I prided myself in what we called "lay listening" skills.

So, the first time someone told me I wasn't really listening during a role-play, I felt defensive. I had heard their words, hadn't I? I could even repeat them back. But over time, I've learned that true listening goes far deeper than simply hearing words. It requires us to set aside our own need to speak, to resist the urge to defend or explain, and to create space for stories that might make us uncomfortable.

This kind of listening takes courage.

It takes courage because real listening often reveals truths that challenge our worldview. When we truly listen to marginalized voices, we might discover ways we've unknowingly contributed to systems of oppression. We might realize that our "help" sometimes causes harm. We might have to face uncomfortable questions about privilege and power.

But here's what I've learned: this discomfort is a teacher.

Each day, in schools, workplaces, and communities across our country, important stories go unheard. Stories of microaggressions that chip away at dignity. Stories of systemic barriers that limit opportunities. Stories of resilience, joy, and strength in the face of ongoing challenges. These aren't just abstract concepts – they're lived experiences that many of us, especially those with privilege, might never notice without intentionally listening.

Think about great actors for a moment. They're at their most compelling not when they're delivering their own lines, but when they're truly listening to their scene partners. That's when the magic happens – when they're fully present, responding authentically to what's happening in the moment. The same principle applies to our daily interactions. Real connection emerges not from waiting for our turn to speak, but from being fully present with another person's truth.

So how do we practice this courageous listening? Here are some insights I'm learning:

• True listening requires silence. Not just external silence, but the quieting of our internal voice that wants to justify, explain, or solve. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can say is nothing at all.
  

• True listening means amplifying, not appropriating. When we hear important stories, our role isn't to retell them – it's to create platforms and opportunities for those stories to be heard directly from the source. This might mean stepping back from leadership positions, sharing our platforms, or redirecting resources to support marginalized voices.
  

• True listening involves action. While we shouldn't rush to "fix" things, authentic listening should lead to concrete changes in how we think and act. This might mean examining our organization's hiring practices, restructuring our decision-making processes, or reconsidering who holds power in our communities.

This week, I invite you to practice courageous listening. Here are some questions to consider:

When was the last time you listened to someone whose life experience is radically different from yours? Not just hearing their words, but truly sitting with their perspective?

What voices are missing from your regular circles of influence? What steps could you take to change that?

How might you use your position or privilege to amplify marginalized voices rather than speaking for them?

Remember, the goal isn't to become perfect listeners overnight. The goal is to grow in our capacity to hear, understand, and act on what we learn from voices that have too often been silenced.

In the words of indigenous activist Lily Walker: "If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."

This is the heart of justice work – recognizing that true liberation requires us all to listen, learn, and act together. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply create space for others to speak their truth, and have the courage to really listen.

Ready to develop your listening skills? Download our free guide "The Practice of Courageous Listening" at aYearofHumility.net.