Watchman, What Do You See?
Throughout history, writers have played a crucial role in shaping societies, challenging injustices, and preserving truth. I’ve been writing most of my life, since at least the second grade, when my teacher prompted me to write a poem about love. Somehow, my eight-year-old brain managed to tap into the spirituality of life, love, and belonging. Mrs. Betty Calloway could not wait to share this little poem with my mother, a high school history teacher.
Mom quickly surmised, “Oh no, son, writing has no future. You should be a teacher or lawyer.”
Mom knew the economic difficulties a writer would encounter trying to shed light on the truth and find food and shelter for him or herself. As a writer and winner of a statewide oratory contest in Augusta, Georgia, when she was a high school senior, Mom was not far off the mark.
While I did not make much money as a school teacher, my income was steady and dependable. I would later work the lawyer’s trade, which gave me full pockets and the freedom to provide for a family my second-grade brain could not have contemplated in 1958 – joy fulfilled, passion realized.
Yet the tug to shed light on injustices not addressed in the courts nagged at me until one night, I took to the keyboard on my desk and typed out the words, “I am a writer.” My inner self came alive. Finally, taking the bold step to express consciousness in what Norman Mailer was railing about when I was in the second grade, “Our dear totalitarian times.”
As Mom predicted, non-writers find it hard to fund the work of writers. Everyone who has not written a book thinks in their mind that they could write a book if they wanted to, so they fail to put a premium on the hard work writers put in to hone their craft to bring truth to light. A few years ago, I delivered a passionate speech at the Tubman African American Museum in Macon, Georgia, during their observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s 94th birthday and the museum’s commemoration of the 160th anniversary of the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation.
After speaking historical truth to power, I sauntered into the museum’s bookstore with a childhood friend whose mother had sat with me 60 years before during Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. A middle-aged Black woman was in the bookstore, and I pointed out a collection of books I had written and suggested I would be honored to autograph any of the books she wanted to read. This lady laughed and said, “If you give me one of your books, I will read it.”
Mom’s admonition all those years ago rushed back to my mind.
Writers have to fight to get published, and in an era of increasing government repression, the act of writing, in addition to being a pathway to the poor house, has become a perilous endeavor. As authoritarian tendencies spread across the globe, writers find themselves in the crosshairs of censorship, imprisonment, and even violence.
Governments that seek to control narratives target writers because of their ability to influence public opinion and document historical truths. According to PEN America’s Freedom to Write Index 2024, the number of jailed writers has reached an all-time high, with 375 imprisoned across 40 countries. Many of these individuals are detained without charges, highlighting the arbitrary nature of repression.
In addition to direct censorship, governments have expanded their reach through digital surveillance. Writers who express dissenting views online are increasingly monitored, harassed, and silenced. In 2024, 203 online commentators were imprisoned for their work, demonstrating the growing crackdown on digital expression. This trend has made it dangerous for writers to engage in political discourse, as their words turn against them to blunt the truth.
Even fleeing persecution does not guarantee safety. Governments have begun employing transnational repression, pursuing writers beyond their borders and threatening their families. This alarming development means writers seeking refuge in democratic nations may still face intimidation and retaliation.
Despite these dangers, writers remain at the forefront of the fight for free expression. Their work is a beacon of truth, challenging oppressive regimes and inspiring resistance. The systematic suppression of writers is not just an attack on individuals—it is an assault on democracy itself.
As governments continue to tighten their grip on free speech, the world must recognize the vital role of writers in preserving liberty. Their courage in the face of repression underscores the enduring power of words to shape societies and challenge tyranny.
Throughout history, authoritarian regimes have sought to silence writers, recognizing their power to challenge official narratives and inspire resistance. The suppression of writers is not merely an attack on individuals—it is an assault on free thought, democracy, and the ability to document truth.
Governments employ various tactics to suppress writers, from censorship and imprisonment to intimidation and violence. According to PEN International, writers in countries like Iran and Belarus face arbitrary arrests, fabricated charges, and prolonged detentions. In Iran alone, at least 57 writers were jailed in 2022 for expressing dissenting views.
One of the most insidious forms of suppression is digital surveillance, where governments monitor online activity to identify and silence critics. The Freedom to Write Index 2024 reports that 375 writers were imprisoned across 40 countries, marking an alarming increase in global repression. Many of these individuals were detained without charges, highlighting the arbitrary nature of their persecution. While the lady in the Tubman Museum did not think much of my work, the government knows exactly what’s in my books and the danger my ideas pose to an authoritarian regime.
Despite these dangers, writers continue to resist, demonstrating extraordinary courage in the face of oppression. Writing itself becomes an act of defiance, a means of preserving truth and challenging authoritarian control.
Professor Benjamin G. Davis explores the psychology of courage, emphasizing that resistance often begins with an internal struggle—an individual recognizing that silence is no longer an option. Writers who confront repression do so knowing the risks, yet they persist because they understand the importance of their work. James Baldwin once noted, “I write no better than I have seen.”
Many writers find strength in solidarity, forming networks that amplify their voices and provide protection. Organizations like PEN America and PEN International advocate for imprisoned writers, ensuring their stories get heard and their struggles are recognized.
Ultimately, writers’ courage is a beacon of hope, reminding the world that truth cannot be erased. Their resilience in the face of repression underscores the enduring power of words to challenge tyranny and inspire change.
Words have shaped civilizations, ignited revolutions, and preserved the essence of human experience across generations. Their power transcends time, influencing minds, inspiring movements, and challenging oppression.
Throughout history, words have been the driving force behind societal transformation. From Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches to George Orwell’s writings, words have exposed injustices and mobilized people toward action. The Declaration of Independence, for example, was not merely a document but a statement that reshaped history.
Unlike fleeting conversations, written words endure. Literature, philosophy, and historical records allow ideas to transcend generations. Shakespeare’s works, Confucius’s and Nkrumah’s philosophies, and Maya Angelou’s poetry continue to resonate, proving that words possess an immortality that defies time.
In times of repression, words become a tool of resistance. Writers, journalists, and activists use language to challenge authoritarian regimes and expose corruption. Even when governments attempt to silence dissent, the written word finds a way to persist—whether through underground publications, digital platforms or whispered conversations.
Words have the power to heal, inspire, and uplift. A single phrase can provide comfort in times of despair or motivation in moments of doubt. Conversely, words can also wound, demonstrating their profound psychological impact. The ability to shape emotions and perceptions underscores their enduring influence.
With great power comes great responsibility. Words can unite, divide, enlighten, or deceive. In an era of misinformation, the ethical use of language is more crucial than ever. Writers, speakers, and communicators must wield words with integrity, ensuring they contribute to truth and understanding rather than manipulation.
Our writers must be alert, healthy, and well-fed in perilous times. Words’ enduring power lies in their ability to shape reality, preserve history, and inspire future generations. Whether spoken or written, words remain one of humanity’s most formidable tools, capable of changing the world with a single sentence.
Harold Michael Harvey, JD, is a two-time award-winning author for his memoir, Freaknik Lawyer: A Memoir on the Craft of Resistance, and the historical novel, Watch Night, Our Souls Cried out for Freedom: A Narrative History of Bethel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Macon, Georgia, from 1863 to 2023. Harvey is a past president of the oldest Black Bar Association in Georgia and founder of the Gate City Bar Association Hall of Fame. An avid baseball fan, he is a voting member of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. Harvey is an engaging public speaker. Contact Harvey at [email protected].
Excellent work, my friend!
Thank you, my friend.