Civic Bullies Only Win When No One Else Speaks Up

 

Last year, I traveled across Missouri, meeting with community leaders and residents, working to strengthen neighborhoods and encourage civic engagement. But in nearly every town, I heard the same concern: civic bullies.

You see them on Facebook pages like [Insert Community Name] News and Events. They tear down every idea, drown progress in negativity, and discourage others from getting involved. Whether through toxic social media posts, obstructionist politics, or relentless pessimism, they do more than frustrate—they hold communities back.

When I brought up Facebook comments in my talks, people immediately nodded, laughed, or sighed in frustration. They had stories of how these pages discourage business owners, stop people from running for office, and stir up drama over small issues. I understand because I’ve seen it happen in my own hometown, Republic, Missouri.

Weeds in the Garden

Civic bullies remind me of something David Engwicht once said about weeds in a field. Weeds are everywhere, but they only take over when the land is unhealthy. It’s the same with communities.

A strong town will always have critics—that’s normal. But in a healthy, engaged community, those voices don’t dominate. The problem isn’t the bullies themselves; it’s the silence of the majority. When good people check out, bullies fill the space, making it seem like their opinions are the only ones that matter.

Bullies Win in a Vacuum

Like any bully, civic bullies thrive when no one else speaks up. They show up when things go wrong, grab attention, and take over by default. But here’s the truth:

Most people don’t agree with them.

They are a loud but small minority. They dominate because most people don’t like engaging in negativity or conflict. Meanwhile, civic bullies enjoy stirring the pot.

But there’s good news—when the rest of the community speaks up, bullies lose their power.

Fighting Back with Positivity

One of the best responses I’ve seen comes from Ryan Fairchild, owner of Dry Lake Brewing in Great Bend, Kansas. When local online discussions turned toxic, he helped create a Positive Social Response Team.

Whenever negativity spiked, they sent out a text or email, rallying people to respond with positive, supportive comments. Over time, the bullies lost their influence. Without attention, they faded into the background.

Because when no one listens to a bully, they don’t have much to say.

The Simple Truth

Bullies will always exist. But their voices only matter when everyone else stays silent.

The solution isn’t to fight them—it’s to make sure more positive voices join the conversation. When the silent majority speaks up, the bullies lose control.

I’ve seen it in my own community. One person with too much time and too many digital tools has dragged local discussions down. The result? A social media wasteland filled with negativity.

I know it’s tough to go it alone. But we don’t have to. We can start in our neighborhoods. We can form response teams.

Because communities thrive when good people refuse to stay silent.

Written by David L. Burton

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