Why I Won’t Keep My Mouth Shut

22 Oct 2025 · 1 min

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1:20

In this monologue, Leigh Thomas Brown argues that residents of Cabarrus County have both the right and the responsibility to voice opinions on policies and elections in neighboring Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, even without a domicile there. He cites the significant migration from Charlotte to Cabarrus for better schools, tax structures, and law enforcement, emphasizing that what happens in Charlotte affects Cabarrus. Drawing on his 25 years of experience helping people relocate, he urges listeners to research, form informed opinions, and continue speaking up, especially when faced with emotional resistance. He frames civic engagement as an obligation for citizens to address perceived wrongs, regardless of jurisdiction.

Chapters

Now the question becomes this: do I have the right to have an opinion about what happens in Charlotte and in Mecklenburg County when I do not have a domicile in that area? I would say yes, I absolutely do, because what happens in Charlotte happens here too in Cabarrus County. In fact, we see a lot of flight out of Charlotte into Cabarrus County for the better public schools, for a different tax structure, for lots and lots of reasons, including our amazing sheriff and DA here. Now when you start asking yourself, but Leigh, if it's happening in Charlotte and you live over here, you keep your mouth shut. I will not, because as somebody who has helped people move in and out of this region for over 25 years, I have an obligation to pay attention to what happens with policy and what happens with who is and is not elected. This is something you all have to get your heads around. When you have opinions about things, even if it's not in your jurisdiction, do the research, form an opinion, and continue speaking up. When people block you because they don't like your opinion, that means you're probably over the target. So don't ever discount yourself when somebody gets so emotional they don't wish to engage in conversation with you anymore. You have an obligation as a citizen to speak up when things aren't right.