Have you ever shrunk yourself to almost invisible? Imagine being disabled, or gay, or black, or brown, or any other unseen group along with all the other life things.
Today is the last day of Gay Pride Month. So much of what I’ve learned in life is linked to disability and gay rights. They were melded together in the form of our son, Preston and his teacher Miss Steph. Both broken and whole – lamp lights unto the other, they saw the truth in each other’s hearts the first day they met. It makes perfect sense, sharing our vulnerability is literally sharing our truth. They trusted each other to hold their truth the same way you hold a precious newborn baby. They swathed each other in truth telling. A human form of love. One did so purposefully, the other unknowingly by being his unapologetic self.
I don’t believe in coincidence. I do however believe that the universe conspires to put us where we need to be. For me that meant ADVOCACY of all kinds, including self advocacy because of what I’ve seen and heard. I’ve watched other people’s beliefs put on me or Preston, or someone of color, or a person who is gay. And it’s ugly to witness. I keep trying to listen to that stillness inside me. My guide. It knows what I don’t know. A gift given to me long ago. How I’ve needed it the last few months. I wasn’t put here to ensure anyone else’s self esteem. I was put here to be an advocate. And whether through my words or actions, or both. I will continue to do so.
karen draper ~ writer 
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
GOOD. DON’T—-AND DON’T EXPECT ME TO DO SO, EITHER! š
I AM A CHRISTIAN WHO BELIEVES THE BIBLE ABOUT SIN KEEPING US FROM GOD—BUT ALSO THAT WE ALL FALL SHORT, EXCEPT BY BELIEF IN jESUS cHRIST. i DO REBLOG AND CORRESPOND WITH FOLK DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED TO MY VIEWS—AND I TO THEIRS. CAN YOU HANDLE CORRESPONDING WITH A LOVING CHRISTIAN? I OFFER YOU MY HAND IN FRIENDSHIP, LIKE i ALREADY ENJOY—TO DROP A NAME—ESTHER LING OF THE HORTUS CLOSUS BLOG AND A FEW OTHERS. YOU LIKE POETRY?.
Prejudice, racism, bias, discrimination no matter who it is aimed at, is ugly and destructive. Good to read about your advocacy. It seems that advocacy takes different shapes depending on context and culture. Sometimes, it’s a form of hand to hand combat, one conversation at a time to share a different perspective. Whatever the form of advocacy, staying “on message” over time to fight prejudice is a worthy effort but it’s a steep road ahead.
We have learned through our global travels through about fifty countries, that it is very difficult for any group to be self introspective about its own bias. Be it the Sri Lankan Buddhist majority who de-humanize their minorities both Tamil and Muslim, the Nicaraguan “spaniard” who belittles and takes advantage of the country’s indigenous Mayagna Indians, or the U.S. white majority that practices racism at a systemic level against multiple minorities – black, latino, muslim, Native American… The story is constant and pervasive: the more powerful community inevitably subjugates less powerful communities.
And yet, sometimes, change by a thousand cuts happens. Advocacy leads to role models, who lead to best practice for societal change, who lead to representation and then systems change. So… Thumbs up on your continued advocacy.
Ben
I agree, Ben. Whether advocacy is person to person, community, state or globally based, it only matters that we keep our eyes, ears and minds open to the needs of other suppressed people.
You and Peta are wonderful examples of global advocates.
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your views. Be well. And give Peta a hug for me.
Karen