Between Peace and Protest - Finding the Right Moment to Accept or Rise Up

Copyright: Sanjay Basu

Yesterday, just hours after he had cremated his aged, ailing mother, I met my childhood friend at his home. The soft glow of the yellow light was the only contrast to the muted hush that followed the day’s solemn rites. Grief weighed heavily in the air, and as we spoke, he mentioned how, despite the heartache, he’d chosen to accept his mother’s long illness and eventual passing rather than protest the inevitability of death. His calm resignation made me think about the delicate balance we all face: when do we accept life’s hardships, and when do we rise up and protest?

To accept a situation does not necessarily mean to submit to it blindly or to endorse it; rather, it is to acknowledge and recognize that certain outcomes—like mortality, aging, or natural disasters—are beyond our control. Protest, on the other hand, is an active response aimed at altering conditions that feel unjust, harmful, or preventable. Striking the right balance between acceptance and protest can be challenging, but considering the source and nature of our difficulties can guide us. For instance, when confronted with the severe illness of a loved one that even top-tier medical care can no longer alleviate, acceptance may provide peace. In such situations, no amount of protest will change natural realities. Conversely, when facing systemic injustices—like discriminatory workplace policies or corrupt governance—protest becomes a moral obligation. These are conditions shaped by human decisions and thus can potentially be reshaped by human effort.

For example, consider a workplace scenario where your supervisor consistently disregards safety protocols. If the issue is minor and stems from systemic constraints—say, the company is understaffed due to an unexpected hiring freeze—you might accept certain inconveniences temporarily, focusing on what can be changed internally. However, if your supervisor’s actions put employees at risk, no amount of resignation is justified. Gathering colleagues, presenting evidence to higher management, or even calling for external oversight might be the right course, as protest here seeks to rectify a human-made wrong.

In short, the key is discernment. Ask yourself: Is this situation an unavoidable aspect of the human condition—death, illness, the finality of an uncontrollable circumstance—or is it the product of human failure, ignorance, or malice that can be challenged and corrected? Acceptance offers peace in the face of the inevitable, allowing you to conserve energy and find meaning despite the hardship. Protest offers agency in the face of injustice, channeling your resolve to create positive change. Learning when to embrace one or the other is a lifelong skill, nurtured by empathy, self-awareness, and a clear-eyed understanding of the world around us.