.
by Kimberly Wilder
In this age of hierarchies and patriarchies and technology which disempower us, it is difficult to keep one’s moral compass. Many of us have been in a situation maybe at work, or in a club, or social group, where we uncover a big, something bad happening. You know, something that gives you the uh-oh feeling. Or, something that is even more clearly a violation of the law.
It is hard to believe that we, personally, need to take an action.
Also, human beings are social animals, so, often, we don’t want to even admit that a coworker or authority figure could do something wrong. And, if we have to admit it, still, we may not want to rock the boat.
But, if everyone just ignored injustices, one by one, they would build up until the company failed, or the club died out, or the society withered on the vine. Noticing injustice and having the courage to stand up for it is important for the healthy development of an organization and a culture. Having the leadership to the blow the whistle will make you a stronger person. And, maybe, someday, people will thank you.
I have been thinking for awhile about how to encourage people to use what they know and blow the whistle on corruption or injustice they find around them. This morning, when I heard Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg interviewed on Democracy Now!, I thought today was as good as any to share my ideas about whistleblowing.
Whistleblowing can be a tricky thing. And, since you didn’t do anything wrong, it is easy to feel that you should just look away. But, justice matters. So, here are some practical ideas about how to blow the whistle to make the world a better place.
7 Ways to Blow the Whistle
1. Blow it loud
Unless the person you are telling on is the local District Attorney, tell the local district attorney. If it is a federal crime, report it to the United States Attorney.
2. Blow it carefully
If you are not sure that you are correct. Or, if you think there is hope that others around you will see the error of their ways, trying reporting the problem through the correct channels.
3. Blow it vicariously.
If you are in an organization where you know you are doing good, and you don’t want to lose your position, then consider letting the information out in a different way. Share the information with a friend or colleague who may then be willing to report the problem up the chain or to the authorities.
4. A slow leak.
Consider leaking it to the press. But, if it is a complicated issue, the reporter may need you to talk to as she does her research and figures things out. By either staying anonymous (ie: a dialogue through a hidden e-mail account) or by requesting anonymity, work with a reporter to understand the information.
5. A fast leak.
Send the information to a reporter through the mail. Leave the information on your boss’s desk anonymously.
Just realize, that you may have to clearly lay out the information, or the person may not understand the problem or what they should do next.
6. Subtle approach: Fix the whistle yourself.
If you are in an organization, and you notice a problem, the answer to it may not be to unveil the perpetrator or to make a bold move. Consider if you are in a position to fix the situation by casually steering policy in a different direction. Another example might be if an organization gives out bad information on its web-site or fliers, and you solve the problem by fixing the web-site, editting the fliers, or putting out the right information your own way and flooding the market.
7. Confront the perpetrator.
Well, of course, you have to use common sense here. If you uncover a federal crime, might not want to go up to someone with no scruples and let them know you know.
But, years ago, I read this new age children’s book called “Hug a Monster.” Sometimes people do bad things because they are stressed, cranky, ignorant, or some other something that you could fix if you reached out a hand to them, and offered to help.
–
Daniel Ellsberg’s interview at Democracy Now! is linked above, and can be found at:
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/07/02/1331255
Photo by David H-W (Extrajection)
Filed under: activism, Anti-War, Art, Our Favorite Radio Stations, personal, Political Websites, progressive politics, rants, reform, US Politics Tagged: | Blogroll, book of the month, UFPJ
Leave a Reply