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"Why Don't We Complain" by William F. Buckley Jr.

In his 1961 essay "Why Don't We Complain?", William F. Buckley Jr. argues that Americans are often unwilling to voice their opinions even when facing unacceptable conditions. Buckley provides three reasons for this reluctance: people don't want to be the sole dissenter; they fear confronting authority; and they don't want to be obtrusive. Buckley's purpose is to convince Americans to start complaining about small and large issues alike in order to reverse a growing culture of apathy. Through sharing his own experiences, Buckley seeks to show that speaking up can improve conditions for all.

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Tavar Herbert
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1K views1 page

"Why Don't We Complain" by William F. Buckley Jr.

In his 1961 essay "Why Don't We Complain?", William F. Buckley Jr. argues that Americans are often unwilling to voice their opinions even when facing unacceptable conditions. Buckley provides three reasons for this reluctance: people don't want to be the sole dissenter; they fear confronting authority; and they don't want to be obtrusive. Buckley's purpose is to convince Americans to start complaining about small and large issues alike in order to reverse a growing culture of apathy. Through sharing his own experiences, Buckley seeks to show that speaking up can improve conditions for all.

Uploaded by

Tavar Herbert
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Tavar Herbert

English 112-Section AC1 Composition I


Professor Adero-Zaire R. Green
February 13th, 2017
Why Dont We Complain by William F. Buckley Jr.

"Why Don't We Complain?" is a 1961 essay written by conservative journalist William F.

Buckley, Jr. in which the author considers at length on the average American's unwillingness to

voice his opinions. Buckley uses three main points to make his argument. First, he believes

Americans always expect other people to complain first, even in the face of unbearable

conditions, because no one wants to be the lone voice of dissent. Secondly, much of the

American people's unwillingness to complain comes from simple fear. They are afraid to

confront authority even when their rights are being violated. Third, the American desire to be

unobtrusive means the government will grow bolder in restricting their rights. Buckleys purpose

in writing his essay is very obvious: to convince Americans that it is time to start complaining.

Rather than sitting passively when a movie is out of focus or a bus is too hot, Americans should

say something to someone with the power to change the problem, so he or she and everyone

around him or her can benefit from the needed change. Buckley fears that apathy towards small

inconveniences has caused and will continue to cause apathy toward larger problems, and would

like to reverse the trend as soon as possible. The speaker of this essay is William F. Buckley Jr.,

a politician, talk show host, and writer. Buckley is highly connected to the issue he is speaking

about, because he has found himself to be apathetic and passive in many situations where he

easily could have spoken up. As a result of this discovery, he has begun speaking up, or

complaining, oftentimes to little avail. Through his personal experiences, Buckley convinces

the reader that if people start to complain, the culture of apathy in America will be reversed and

complaints will no longer be met with such hostility.

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