Am I invisible 'cause you ignore me?

In this minisode of The Persistence, Angélica Cordero takes a hard look at the phrase “If you see something, say something” and what it’s really taught us about staying quiet, staying safe, and staying out of it. From civic culture to everyday behavior, this episode breaks down how silence often gets framed as maturity or common sense—when in reality, it can protect power and delay change.Through moments in history, civil rights struggles, and cultural flashpoints, Cordero shows how refusal, disruption, and non-cooperation have always been part of how progress actually happens. Silence doesn’t just happen. It’s encouraged. It’s rewarded. And it has a history.This episode explores:* Why “staying out of it” is rarely neutral* How power relies on compliance and quiet participation* The real cost of opting out when things go wrong* How refusal and non-cooperation create pressure for change* Why these patterns keep repeating todayThis episode was written by and produced by Angélica Cordero, with a little help from ChatGPT. Our theme song is Don’t Kid Yourself Baby by Fold, used with their blessings. Podcast artwork for The Persistence features Mexican-American activist Jovita Idar and was created by Tamra Collins of Sunroot Studio.Resources For Fellow Wascally WabbitsLinks“There’s Nothing I Enjoy More Than Acting In The Theater” - Ian McKellen EXTENDED INTERVIEW (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)SupportIt’s free, it’s fast, and it tells the algorithm overlords this work matters. Supporting The Persistence means supporting all of it: the podcast, the posts, the zine, the whole enchilada.Send a post or an episode to a friend, a professor, or that cousin who loves debating politics at dinner.One quick Apple Podcasts review does more than any marketing budget I don’t have.Every coffee, every donation (and paid subscription) literally keeps the mic on and the stories flowing. Collaborate (let’s dream bigger): Educators? Creative? Filmmaker/Podcaster? Org with a mission? Let’s talk.Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and share your thoughts with Angélica by emailing [email protected]’t forget to sign up for host Angélica Cordero’s newsletter, Obsessively Curious!! It includes short insights that connect unlikely histories, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show. Get full access to Obsessively Curious at obsessivelycurious.substack.com/subscribe