Is it good to speak for others?

I had been thinking about writing on this topic for a long time, but somehow, I couldn’t quite get around to it. However, in light of the ongoing incidents in Bangladesh, I felt it was worth discussing.

Naturally, when you speak for others, it may seem like you're doing the right thing. For example, if indigenous hill people are being evicted, you might feel compelled to say something. Or if someone has been unjustly killed, you might feel that it’s important to speak up. And of course, it is good to stand against any form of injustice. But does the reaction always move in the right direction?

Let’s say you speak out about the eviction of hill communities or similar issues. Your message might be well-intentioned. For example, you might say, “Stop the eviction of hill people. Otherwise, a mass movement will be launched.” What problems could arise from this kind of statement? It might gain popularity, but two major issues could follow.

First, since you are not a member of the hill community, there’s a good chance you don’t truly know what the people want. Perhaps this isn’t the first time they’ve faced eviction. Maybe they don’t just want the eviction to stop—they also want those evicting them to be rehabilitated. But due to your limited understanding, you couldn’t convey their actual demand. So, even if the eviction stops, the core demand might remain unmet.

Second, your voice might overshadow theirs. Since you are privileged and better connected, the way you spread your simplified or partial message could suppress their true needs—or even cast doubt on them. Your statement might create polarization; new opposing groups might form, and criticisms might arise that wouldn’t have, had the original demand come from the community itself.

Moreover, your second line—“Otherwise, a mass movement will be launched”—might never have been the stance of the hill people. Maybe they were not prepared for such a movement at all. Due to this kind of political language, the state might become even more antagonistic toward this already marginalized group, further complicating the issue.

Linda Alcoff discusses this type of issue in her book The Problem of Speaking for Others. According to her, because of the two problems mentioned above, we should be cautious before speaking on behalf of others.

She suggests that when you want to speak for others, you should first examine your real motivation. If your true intention is to represent them, your personal opinions or ideologies should never take precedence. For instance, when you said, “a mass movement will be launched,” that might have been your own perspective. Maybe you support such movements or wanted to signal that you (or your group) are not weak. But the demand must reflect theirs, not yours.

Another important point: if you speak for others, you must speak truthfully and responsibly—which may not be easy for everyone.

When should you speak for others?

There are situations where speaking for others is necessary and justified. For example:

When the marginalized group cannot speak for themselves: If you have access to platforms they don’t—for example, if you're a Member of Parliament and can speak during policy-making—then you should speak for them.

In emergency situations: If immediate action is required and those concerned are not present to act or speak for themselves, you should step in to prevent harm.

If you've worked closely with the community: If you’ve been involved with a marginalized group like the hill people for a long time and truly understand their perspectives and desires, and if your intentions are aligned with theirs, then yes—speak on their behalf.

Some guidelines for those who want to speak for others:

Check your motivation: Reflect on your true intention. If it’s not self-serving or dishonest, go ahead.

Clarify your identity: Make it clear that you are not a member of the group. If you don’t, your statement might be taken as absolute truth, which can be misleading.

Speak about them, not for them: Shift your language from speaking for to speaking about. Let their own voices be the center of the conversation.

Accept criticism: If someone says your statement wasn’t entirely accurate, don’t get defensive. Be open to correction.

Give them the chance to speak: Whenever possible, create space for the affected community to speak for themselves. If they are able to represent themselves, your role is to amplify, not replace, their voices.

That’s all for today’s discussion. I know this writing leaned toward the theoretical side, but ever since I read about this topic, I’ve wanted to write something on it. And finally, I did.