Who Gets to Speak for You? The Hidden Ethics of Representation

Dr. Eleanor Vance · 2026-09-13

### The Question That Changes Everything Have you ever had someone claim to speak for you without your permission? Maybe a coworker said "we all agree" when you actually didn't. Or a politician invoked "the people" in a way that made you cringe. It's a strange feeling—like being ventriloquized without your consent. That's the heart of a fascinating conversation between host Jack Russell Weinstein and philosopher Wendy Salkin. They dig into the ethics of speaking on behalf of others. It's not just an academic puzzle. It's something we all do and experience, often without noticing. ### When Representation Goes Wrong Salkin's work focuses on what she calls "informal representation." That's when you claim to speak for a group you belong to—or sometimes don't. Think of a self-appointed spokesperson for a neighborhood, a religious community, or a political movement. They didn't get elected. Nobody voted. But they step forward anyway. Sometimes that's fine. Sometimes it's necessary. But it raises a thorny question: what gives anyone the right to speak for someone else? Weinstein and Salkin explore how this plays out in political movements and public advocacy. Picture a protest where one person grabs the megaphone and declares, "This is what we all want." But do they? The crowd might be diverse, with a dozen different goals. The megaphone holder just flattened all that complexity into a single soundbite. ### The Everyday Version This isn't just about politics. It happens in families, friendships, and workplaces. Your mom tells the extended family you're not coming to Thanksgiving—without asking you. A friend says, "We think your new partner is bad news," when really it's just them. Salkin points out that we often slide into representing others because it feels efficient. We assume we know what they think. We assume they'd agree. But assuming isn't the same as asking. > "Speaking for others is a kind of power. And like any power, it can be used well or badly." That quote stuck with me. It's a reminder that representation isn't neutral. It shapes how others see the people being represented. If I claim to speak for a marginalized group and I get it wrong, I might make things worse for them. ### So When Is It Okay? Salkin doesn't offer a simple checklist. But she suggests a few guideposts. First, consent matters—even informal consent. Have you actually checked with the people you claim to represent? Second, humility helps. Acknowledge that you're offering one perspective, not the final word. Third, be ready to step back. If someone says, "That's not what I believe," listen. Weinstein adds that context matters too. Speaking for a child who can't advocate for themselves is different from speaking for a coworker who's perfectly capable of speaking up. Power dynamics are always in play. ### Why This Matters for You Maybe you're not a philosopher. But you probably represent someone, somewhere. You might be a parent, a team lead, a friend who gets asked to "talk to" someone else. Or you might be on the receiving end—feeling misrepresented by a relative or a public figure. This conversation is a nudge to pause. Before you say "we," ask who that includes. Before you assume you know what someone wants, check. And when someone claims to speak for you, feel free to say, "Actually, let me speak for myself." It's not about being difficult. It's about being honest. And that's a small ethic we can all practice, one conversation at a time.