Sharing the outrage
Like many of us, I have been feeling a lot of anger and frustration towards men for not stepping up and being more active in trying to end the abuse, oppression and violence towards women and non binary people.
I feel angry that so many men do not appear to share my outrage. And when I think about this, my thoughts keep coming back to this one thing…to all those groups of people who are always treated as less than.
I see so clearly now that I have not stepped up enough for them. I have been complacent, because the injustice they experience every day does not touch my life in the way it does theirs. I am sorry it has taken me so long to see this.
The people of colour, who have been fighting for so long (especially the black women). I understand more clearly now the rage and resentment they may rightfully feel towards white people for not stepping up and trying harder to end the oppression, brutality and racism they experience.
And the disabled people, who have been fighting for so long. I understand more clearly now the distress and exasperation they may rightfully feel towards non disabled people for not stepping up and trying harder to end the cruelty and abuse and ableism they experience.
And the LGBTQIAP community, who have been fighting for so long. I understand more clearly now the anger and frustration they may rightfully feel towards the cisgender heterosexual people for not stepping up and trying harder to end the persecution, violence and discrimination they experience.
When someone from a marginalised group tells you that what you, or society, are doing, is hurting them, please believe them. Just believe them. Show some compassion. Take a step back and try to see the bigger picture. Find out what you can do to help make things safer and more just for them. And take steps to make change. Because when you are in the majority, you are always in a greater position to do so.
I can see now, more than I ever have before, how much it hurts when the people with more power, and more influence are indifferent, apathetic, impartial to others injustice. It is crushing. It is demoralizing. It is distressing. It is exhausting. It hurts.
To all those who are hurting. Who don’t feel supported. Who don’t feel heard. I am sorry. I will do better.
