I despise the phrase "speak truth to power," and the mentality it implies.
Power already knows the truth, you* dipshit. It's power who's lying to everybody in the first place. It's THE PEOPLE you should be speaking truth to, not fucking Power. Wanting to "speak truth to power" just tells me that you desire to situate yourself INSIDE the halls of power. Fuck that. Speak truth to those who have been lied to, not to the liars.
*not you personally
Speaking truth to power: a short and salty rant
@lwriemen
I see the sentiment mostly from non-profit types who legit just want to meet powerful people & travel in those circles - people for whom I suspect the injustice itself serves as their "in" to spaces of prestige, influence, and wealth and that they care at all only for that reason. There's a lot of money to be had in speaking on behalf of the poor and downtrodden, after all, in the form of book deals and speaking fees.