Don't let strangers touch you. And yet it is seldom strangers, I learned long before I was a teenager, who do you harm. It is always the ones closest to us: the suave chauffeur, the skilled photographer, the kind music teacher, the good friend's sober and dignified husband, the pious man of God. They are the ones your parents trust, whom they don't want to believe anything against.
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In "Things I've Been Silent About," Azar Nafisi reflects on the paradox of safety and danger in relationships. She emphasizes that often, the real threats come not from strangers, but from those closest to us who seem trustworthy. This revelation, understood by Nafisi before her teenage years, highlights the complexity of human interactions and the facade that many individuals maintain.
Nafisi identifies common figures of trust, such as chauffeurs, photographers, music teachers, and even clergymen, illustrating that their perceived kindness can mask harmful intentions. This insight serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance in our close relationships, where trust can often lead to betrayal. Parents may refuse to believe that these trusted individuals can cause harm, complicating the dynamics of safety and trust in our lives.
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