We All Deserve A Voice

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.” ~Lao-Tzu~
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.” ~Lao-Tzu~

There's a heaviness to my mood today that wasn't there when I woke up. I started reading news reports about yet another white cop cold-bloodedly killing a black man when the cop wasn't even attacked. I have avoided writing about this, and hell, even thinking too deeply about it because it boils my insides. My heart aches for everyone--the families of the fallen men, those cops that clearly walk with fear in their hearts, those who've been convicted or hurt due to protesting.

What is happening to our nation? Is this the "rock bottom" before we start climbing again? Wasn't that already hit during the Civil Rights movement? Shouldn't we be further along by now? These are questions everyone asks, I know, but they're on repeat in my head.

My god, people still fear those who look different than them! I would say that's so childish, but even children don't act this way because most children walk with love, acceptance, and curiosity in their hearts before they're heavily affected by their parents or society. Shit, this isn't even about black vs. white anymore! It's about love vs. hate and always has been in all aspects of life. We love white skin over black skin, tanned skin over pale skin, straight hair over curly, thin vs. fat, healthy vs. unhealthy eating, sobriety vs. drunkeness, children vs. no children, married vs. single, conservative vs. liberal, etc. etc. etc. This list is so endlessly tiring.

When I think about my tiny footprint with The Body Project, I realize that, though it's so small in a vast sea of projects, movements, and protests involving body acceptance, it most certainly represents a little voice in the larger statement of halting the fear, judgements, and hatred of people who are different than oneself and the beliefs, opinions, theories, and even material possessions that are different than what one has.

So, if you find yourself moved by the message of body acceptance and self-love, stop and think if that carries over into all areas of your life.

It's okay to question authority.

It's okay to fight against outdated systems.

It's okay to love yourself wholly and love someone totally different than you because way deep down, we're all trying to live life the best way we know how.

Stop harming yourself.

Stop harming others.

And remember that we all deserve a voice and the space to project it.

Love Is A Verb
Love Is A Verb
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