The term “soapbox” originated from the practice of standing on a box to give a speech. Today, it refers to any public platform for free speech. It can be an effective tool for political activists, but there is a risk of losing credibility if one is too passionate and unwilling to compromise.
Perhaps not so surprisingly, individual bars of soap were once packaged for shipment in a crate known as (wait for it) a soap box. Merchants unpack the soap for display and unwrap the box itself in the alley. Periodically, a passerby with public speaking in mind would pick up the discarded container and use it to rise above the crowd while speaking on a particular topic of interest, usually of a religious or political nature. This practice of standing on an actual box while having a long talk on a controversial topic eventually inspired a more metaphorical use of the term “to step onto one’s soap box.”
Metaphorically speaking, a soapbox would be any public place that at least condones the exercise of free speech, such as a radio talk show program, newspaper section, Internet-based discussion forum, or public-access cable channel. Whenever a caller or advertiser on one of these forums decides to give a long rant about a highly charged political issue, it could be said that he has now stood up on a soapbox. This isn’t necessarily a dialogue between the speaker and the audience, but more of a one-sided diatribe from a very opinionated speaker.
There are times when standing up on a political stage can be an effective tool in a political activist’s arsenal. Some might argue that former Vice President Al Gore’s frequent calls for environmental responsibility would have been his particular soapbox, but there have been tangible improvements as a result of his persistent efforts to raise awareness. Many politicians have their own similar problems, such as President George W. Bush’s call for greater internal security against terrorists. A soapbox issue like a call for racial or social justice or a federal income tax repeal can literally define a politician’s career.
Perhaps the main danger of having such a problem is becoming so passionate and relentless that the original message gets lost or loses meaning with the target audience. Entering an important topic might make the speaker feel more empowered, but there is a risk that the person could lose their credibility by not accepting other points of view or by showing a willingness to compromise. Antiwar activist Cynthia Sheehan, for example, made the Iraq war her problem, but ultimately she became more of a lightning rod for criticism from those who supported the war. Stepping on a soapbox can bring a major issue into public awareness, but it’s also important to know when to step out and allow others to do their part to effect real change.
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