Sometimes Silence Is Power: Why Ignoring Bad-Faith Arguments Matters

There’s a whole lot of noise in the world today—online, on TV, at school board meetings, in community forums. And a lot of that noise? It isn’t about understanding. It isn’t about truth. It’s about spectacle. About distraction. About dragging people into fights that were never meant to be fair in the first place.

That’s why I believe one of the most empowering things we can do, especially as folks with lived experience and a story to tell, is to *not* engage with people who argue in bad faith. And recently, students at Tennessee State University reminded the country why that matters.

What Happened at Tennessee State

Earlier this year, Tennessee State students pushed back after speakers—self-styled “free speech warriors”—came to campus, demanding a debate. These folks, known for peddling controversial and inflammatory views, weren’t invited. They showed up anyway, filming themselves and goading students for reactions.

When students refused to engage, when administrators didn’t bend over backwards to accommodate the so-called “debate bros,” cries of censorship rang out from their followers.

But here’s the thing: *no one* is obligated to entertain someone who isn’t honestly listening. No one has to invite a performance into their space that exists solely to provoke, not to understand.

“Debate Me” Isn’t Always About Truth

Let’s not be confused here—the “debate me” attitude sounds noble on paper. Democracy is, after all, built on dialogue. But what often gets lost is the intent behind the challenge.

Ask yourself: Are they asking to debate because they truly want to come to common ground, or are they trying to provoke, belittle, or put on a show?

As a veteran, I was trained to solve problems, to protect, to use discernment about what threats are worth engaging and which ones are trying to waste your resources and weaken your mission. I feel the same applies here. Bad-faith arguments are a drain. They aren’t about learning or evolving. They’re traps.

What Good Faith Looks Like

The difference between a real dialogue and a stunt is respect. When someone shows up seeking to understand—not just to be heard but to *listen* as well—that’s good faith.

When someone shows up and listens to local communities before instigating a fight, that’s legitimate.

But when they roll up with cameras, prepared soundbites, and a team waiting to clip your reaction and boost themselves online, they’re not here for discussion. They’re here for content.

In my own advocacy work, especially when dealing with housing injustice, mental health access, or discrimination—there’s no time to waste on gimmicks. I’ve seen people show up with their minds already made and their hearts closed. They want to make you angry so that *you* look like the problem.

Don’t give them that power.

Silence Isn’t Weakness—It’s Wisdom

I remember an old saying from my Army days: “Don’t wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.”

Some folks believe engaging with every critic is the way to prove your point. But for marginalized communities, constantly having to “explain” your humanity, your pain, your history—over and over to people who have no intention of truly moving toward empathy—is a violence in itself.

Sometimes, silence is resistance. Refusing to entertain nonsense is not weakness. It’s wisdom.

The students at Tennessee State showed that wisdom. They chose peace in the face of provocation. That should be applauded, not criticized.

My Message to Those Seeking to Be Heard

If you’re someone trying to raise your voice—whether it’s for equity, justice, or just to share your truth—you don’t have to fight everyone who throws a stone.

Not every voice deserves your time. Not every challenge deserves a response.

Your story, your presence, your boundaries matter. And in today’s climate, protecting your peace is revolutionary.

Let’s choose our battles with care. Let’s pick conversation over confrontation—but only where it’s homegrown and honest.

And when the provocateurs show up asking to debate? Sometimes the strongest move is walking away.

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**Your Turn:**
Have you ever been baited into a bad-faith argument? How did you handle it? Let’s learn from each other. Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your wisdom.

In strength,
**Melvin**