Tuesday 14 January 2014

We are one but we are many

If you’re content with the world and your place in it that’s fine, and I’m not being condescending, the world is made up of countless different people. But just as you don’t wish to rock the boat you have to equally accept that there are people who are going to stand up for the injustices in this world.

I am one such person and I have been since I was three and my parents were my only audience. I will not live my life fulfilling other’s expectations or conform to the social norm to be liked. I will not sit by and watch my friends continue on their missions of self-hate because society has made them believe they are not good enough. I will not sit in silence while some people have rights because they were “lucky” enough to be born into a certain demographic. You know who you are lucky to be: YOU.   

I believe that everyone should be born with the same rights, and that nobody has a right to impose their own personal beliefs on others. Our life choices are our own; they should not be legalised by religious groups or influenced by bullies. Question why someone wants to prevent you from having rights (because it makes them uncomfortable), why they are putting you down (to make themselves feel better) or trying to sell you a given product (to make money) rather than blindly believing and/or accepting something on face value and then stubbornly refusing to see why you suddenly hate yourself or want something. Be self-aware.

I will not tell somebody what they should watch, read or listen to, etc nor will I threaten to not be your friend or claim there is something wrong with you if you don’t. If I make a general recommendation you can take it or leave it. If I make a specific recommendation to you it is based on your interests; you don’t have to like it or even follow it up. I don’t care if you like/enjoy the same things as me and know I’m not always going to like/enjoy the same things as you. Doesn’t mean we can’t be friends

I will not tell somebody not to do something just because I don’t, that is my personal life choice and mine alone. If you don’t like something don’t do it, it really is that simple, but don’t think you have the right to tell someone else that they can’t do it because it is against your beliefs or makes you uncomfortable: “Tolerance does not mean tolerating intolerance”.

You are entitled to whatever opinion you want. What you are not entitled to do is impose it on someone else. You live your life and let others live theirs. And to those who say ‘but I’m entitled to my opinion’ realise that you are basically telling everyone who disagrees with you that they are not entitled to theirs, sometimes legally, because it upsets you.

It is not a soap box or a moral high ground to do the right thing and want everyone to have the same rights and to believe in themselves. Would you so quickly try to knock down the Nelson Mandelas, Martin Luther Kings and Ghandis of the world? Do you verbally attack women’s and gay right activists?

I am simply being a voice so many are too scared to be. Without people who speak up then only straight, white, Christian men would still have rights. So the next time you want to put me down for standing up to the bullies of the world consider whose side you're really taking by doing so. If you’re offended by my drive for people to believe in themselves and equality rather than self-hate and discrimination that says way more about you than it does me. And trust me when I say if you don’t like what I do say you’d hate what I don’t say. However, I truly believe that you are just as entitled to your life choices and personal  happiness as I am so why would I judge your decision to do/ not do something any more than it is up to you to judge mine. Our differences are what make us unique.

Change doesn't happen through silence, it happens through taking action. Take back the power and stop letting the bullies of the world win. 

At the end of the day if you don't like what I have to say unfollow me.


Respect, compassion, equality and individuality are what I live by.