The phrase "spiral of silence" actually refers to how people tend to remain silent when they feel that their views are in the minority. The model is based on three premises: 1) people have a "quasi-statistical organ," a sixth-sense if you will, which allows them to know the prevailing public opinion, even without access to polls, 2) people have a fear of isolation and know what behaviors will increase their likelihood of being socially isolated, and 3) people are reticent to express their minority views, primarily out of fear of being isolated.
This is something that a community you enter has been dealing with for years. They may feel silenced by their local government, the police or even the businesses they frequent. As a community developer, it is important that you give them a megaphone of sorts (community participation) and make sure their voice is amplified.
In higher education, students of color often feel this. They do not speak up because they do not want to be the “angry black person” stereotype, so they stay silent. As I hope to enter higher education, I hope to amplify their voices like my mentors have mine.
Glynn, J.C., Hayes, F.A. & Shanahan, J. (1997). “Perceived support for ones opinions sand willingness to speak out: A meta-analysis of survey studies on the ‘spiral of silence’” Public Opinion Quarterly 61 (3):452-463.
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