What Does This Phrase Mean?

8/11/2010 | Self

[CTOCS]

"Speaking Truth To Power"

Ever since the Sherrod, Rangle, Waters issues and for most of the Obozo presidency, I've heard this phrase more and more. I know it is somehow associated with race but I have no idea what it means. To me, the phrase is nonsensical and means nothing. Any help out there to provide some clarity to this? thanks

[MarineBrat]

I think it means whatever the moron who’s using it at the time wants it to mean. :)

[RobRoy]

Depends on who is saying it.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

Let’s put it another way: “Do you want the truth or do you want to feel good?”

[Flag_This]

"Speaking Truth To Power"

I've always interpreted it as having the courage to tell the truth to powerful people who don't want to hear it.

[exnavy]

It means; “I am a liar”.

[nagdt]

Perhaps it’s the Democrats “Talking Points Phrase that Pays!”

[CTOCS]

Okay, let’s suppose “you” are saying it. What’s it mean?

[Domandred]

I swear I heard Obama say it once, after he was President. I about fell out of my chair laughing.

[madameguinot]

I don’t think it necessarily is associated with racial issues. My understanding is that it means standing up and speaking the truth in face of corrupt power. The left has used it a lot in the last several years...substitute ‘REPUBLICAN’ for power! I know Pelosi loves this phrase as did Teresa Heinz Kerry. Correct me if I am wrong on this.

[RobRoy]

It means effectively presenting “truth” in a way the average person could understand in a way that enables them to take action that makes sense and is within their capabilities.

And getting this truth to a large enough part of the population for that action to make an actual difference.

[RobRoy]

It means effectively presenting “truth” in a way the average person could understand in a way that enables them to take action that makes sense and is within their capabilities.

And getting this truth to a large enough part of the population for that action to make an actual difference.

Actually add to the word “enables” the word “motivates”.

[goat granny]

I agree with you, it is a meaningless bunch of words from Anita Hill during the Inquisition of Clarence Thomas in the senate...I think she wrote a book with that title...stupid phrase from dumb liberals.

[Deagle]

Bingo! I think you have it there fellow...

[WilliamofCarmichael]

My recollection is that it dates from the 1960s. The 1960s Marxist-Alinsky street/campus rabble and now their ideological issue use it against the Establishment. "Bring it all down, man."

It's a Saul Alinsky's "Rules For Spoiled Brats" thing.

(Not so) Funny thing, they are arguably now the Establishment.

[LearsFool]

It does sound pretty silly, doesn't it? Then again, so do a lot of other expressions I hear these days:

We have to send a message.

I can really identify with those people.

That really resonated with me.

Let me share an experience I had.

He came out against the idea.

[Sender]

It is usually (though not always) used by extreme left-wing groups during protests against a conservative government. In their eyes, saying Bush was a Nazi or capitalism was evil was speaking “truth” to “power”. I can’t recall hearing any Republicans use the term when dissing Obama or Clinton. I guess it kind of depends on what “truth” is to you. If your “truth” is anarchy or communism, then here’s your sign. (not speaking to “you” personally of course).

[Publius6961]

Actually the use of that stupid non-sensical phrase began with the Clinton administration and their acolytes.

Meaningless self-styled "deep thinker" psychobabble...

[sayuncledave]

It means don’t lie to the electric company. ;)

[x]

The phrase "speaking truth to power" goes back to 1955, when the American Friends Service Committee published Speak Truth to Power, a pamphlet ii at proposed a new approach to the Cold War. Its title, which came to Friend Milton Mayer toward the end of the week in summer 1954 when the composing committee finished work on the document, has become almost a cliche; it has become common far beyond Quaker circles, often used by people who have no idea of its origins. (One current example: Anita Hill entitled her memoir of her sensational charges of sexual harassment against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas, Speaking Truth to Power.)

To speak truth to power sounds so much like an integral part of Quakerism that some modem Friends have simply assumed the phrase goes back to the seventeenth century rather than arriving late in the middle of ours. It reflects what many contemporary Friends would like to believe is the characteristic Quaker stance toward political authority, hallowed in practice if not the exact words. Yet in its origins it was a political statement, entitling an explicitly political document. -- Source

It's not that hard to google. It doesn't cost anything either.