Do professionals need to keep their mouths shut?

[bort2.0]

In my personal and professional life, I'm finding more and more desire to just keep quiet about things. The amount of stress involved in saying the wrong thing, or fear of saying the wrong thing... or the number of qualifiers involved in trying to say something. Or dealing with a louder voice who is certain about their own beliefs. ("Beliefs"... are separate from "truths", right?) It's exhausting. And then I end up not saying anything. And then people are like "why are you so quiet?" or make assumptions that I don't know or care about things, or that I think the "right" or the "wrong" things. And for what? I've done nothing, how would people know either way? I'm not living in fear. But I'm afraid of living in fear.

^ Okay, that's a bit exaggerated. But it could easily become truth.

[Three Valves]

....Ever wonder, maybe it's a sort of blessing, as a public personality, to be relieved of twitter campaign duty? If you can get used to letting it roll past.

It's not just for the Greater Good, you are being silenced for your own good!!

[hrender]

I endeavor to follow the (Craig) Ferguson rule:

• Does this need to be said?
• Does this need to be said by me?
• Does this need to be said by me now?

For social media, I'd add, "Does this need to be said by me now in this forum?"

[KingTuba1241X]

These days, I would NOT post ANYTHING controversial. WHO KNOWS what orchestra management will do. In all contracts, there is an article that musicians can be fired for 'just cause.' The causes are not spelled out, so this gives orchestra managements a wide swath in which they can exert their authority.

Good thing I am a volunteer in non paid groups, they can't really fire you (and they REALLY need tuba players). Unless you say something absolutely Bat-crap crazy.

[KingTuba1241X]

I have some musician friends and a mentor who have allowed themselves to become rabid

Same here, a bunch of people I respected and a former mentor who I roomed with for 4 years and have known since High School all became lunatics in the past year.

[matt g]

I endeavor to follow the (Craig) Ferguson rule:

• Does this need to be said?
• Does this need to be said by me?
• Does this need to be said by me now?

For social media, I'd add, "Does this need to be said by me now in this forum?"

That’s a good rule set.

[windshieldbug]

The person mentioned in bloke’s OP is a well-known flake and a great example of the maxim “Don’t even open your mouth until you have tenure”...

[Three Valves]

These days, I would NOT post ANYTHING controversial. WHO KNOWS what orchestra management will do. In all contracts, there is an article that musicians can be fired for 'just cause.' The causes are not spelled out, so this gives orchestra managements a wide swath in which they can exert their authority.

Not good enough. It’s clear that only one voice decides what is and is not controversial.

And if you remain silent, well, that’s violence!!

[Three Valves]

Still trying to find the “racism”

https://abcnews.go.com/US/georgetown-la ... d=76413267

Sad confession at the end.

She acknowledges the performance gap and laments

Introspectively she ponders her inherent bias and how it may make the situation worse. You know, just like she was told in her sensitivity training.

This self realization is used against her and she gets fired.

The poor thing is so wrapped up in the foolishness (20 years at G-Town) that she apologizes and confesses her crime to her tormentors.

Her words strayed from the approved catechism and for that she was excommunicated.

So. Will we fight, or hide.

[lost]

She came to the self realization after she was terminated.

[Three Valves]

She came to the self realization after she was terminated.

Nope. Follow the links to the discussion with her colleague.

He has not been terminated. Yet.

His crime, if it matters, not turning her in!!

[lost]

She was forced to resign. Are we reading the same article?

[Three Valves]

She was forced to resign. Are we reading the same article?

Here are the copies of the offending remarks. It’s hard to find them unedited and without commentary.

[lost]

I watched the video. At no point to did she self reflect in that video.

[Wu299]

This thread started off political, but was tangentially related to being a professional musician.

Well, that time has passed. So now it’s locked.