What is Inside the Elephant's Room?

    We have all heard the saying, "Let's address the elephant in the room," but did we ever take time to realize what exactly is the elephant? What does it stand for? Where does it come from? The saying has been used for multiple years, and I don't think people still understand what exactly this elephant is. Here's my interpretation, the elephant is the topic that has made its appearance in front of crowd. Because of the fact that the elephant is so large, we cannot act as if it isn't there. Standing there in all its glory at 13,000 pounds, the elephant stares at every person present in the room, waiting to be addressed. The mass of the elephant creates an atmosphere where we feel the need to talk about it. The elephant provides us the opportunity to speak our minds, even if we are uncomfortable. 

Photo by: elephantcapability.com

 

   Since we have discussed what the elephant's purpose is within the room, we must ask the next question:

What is Inside the Elephant's Room?

    People don't often think of the question, nor do people even know how to answer it. It is evident that the elephant comes from a certain place where it gathers these messages and information and then proceeds to bring it forth to other people. After taking multiple social justice courses in college, I have found my own reasoning as to what is in the elephant's room. You see, the elephant is not a physical animal that stands within a room, no, it is an invisible feeling that people notice. The elephant represents the feeling of guilt, anger, hatred, love, passion, fear, happiness, and many other emotions. I know you're wondering, "But where does the elephant gather these emotions?" That, my friend, can be found within its room. You see, the room holds so many events that have occurred, and the elephant sits there, as if watching the news, and experiences all of these events that happen. The elephant's room is not a plain white room, no, it is filled with words and stories that talk of racism, homophobia, politics, relationships, stereotypes, bullying, betrayal, war, failure, success, and the list continues. The elephant comes from the very pit of our society, and it brings forth the messages that people need to hear most. This is why we feel uncomfortable addressing the elephant. It does not enter the room with sunshine and happiness, but with power and the need to be heard. We can hear the elephant stomping as it makes it way to the room, but we sometimes choose to ignore it until it is standing right in front of us. 

    Sadly, this is what has happened to our world and society today, People know of the tragedies and injustices that happen within their space, but some choose to ignore it until it becomes too big to happen. 

 Racism. Feminism. LGBTQ+ Rights. Blue. Red. Gun Violence. Police Brutalities. Freedom

    These words appear on the elephant, and they are words that people constantly read, see, or hear. These words create discussion and fear to most, causing them to stay quiet, leaving the elephant to scream at the top of its lungs, "LISTEN TO ME. NOTICE ME. SPEAK FOR ME." Our  society has chosen to speak, but are we being heard? Do the people who listen fully open their ears, or are they too only staring at the elephant in silence? Our society has become a melting pot of emotion that needs to spilled within the world. We need to learn to speak upon these issues and speak loudly about them. We can no longer stare at the elephant in silence because it will not leave until spoken of. We must fight for our freedom from the elephant, and step into its room with confidence. We need to walk into the room and have the elephant to address us, so that way, when it appears upon the streets filled with protests, the room of politicians, the articles about LGBTQ+ rights, the gun shots heard through neighborhoods, the back seats of police cars, and our very own minds, we will no longer be afraid to address the elephant in the room.