I’m so exhausted. It’s been a crazy week, well let’s be honest, it’s been a crazy year and these are crazy times.
Misogyny, racism, bigotry, homophobia, transphobia, right-wing and left-wing activism, nationalism and all the other “isms” seem to be never ending and very vocal right now.
The fight for human rights rages on (unbelievable that we have not got this shit sorted by now but true) and although it seems so very selfish of me to say in my privileged position as a white cis woman living in Australia, I am tired. Why is the concept of giving other’s respect and valuing everyone’s human rights so hard? To give other’s their rights does not take away from yours – unless of course you think it’s your right to be a judgemental, violent arsehole that gets to dictate how others live their life that is. The divide between ideologies seems to be growing daily, and we can’t underestimate the danger this brings all of us.
In the last couple of weeks we’ve seen women raising their voices yet again in the wake of tragedy. The loss of life just continues over and over again. Whether it’s the abduction and murder of a woman in the UK, the death by suicide after a historical rape in our government, the murder spree which took the lives of marginalised women by the hands of another white man who was gently arrested and seemingly pitied by law enforcement in the USA, the deaths from domestic violence only made worse by pandemic conditions, it just never stops. The weight of recent events on top of the world wide events of the last year just feels so heavy right now.
There have been marches and there will continue to be. Activists will continue their work, planting the seeds for a garden they may never have the opportunity to walk in themselves. Conversations will be raised, some being a catalyst for development and growth, others driving wedges between people. There have been changes of government and there will continue to be so. There will be new policies made and implemented – some good, some terrible in the pursuit of making life better or at least fairer and more equal. The wheels will keep turning because that is how life works.
I don’t even know what this blog post is about really, I mean I don’t have the answers but I felt I needed to put my feelings into words. I’m exhausted but I know that I will continue to do my part to the best of my ability. I will continue to learn and grow and try to do better, I know I haven’t always said or done the right thing in the past – I have definitely got things wrong. I will give support and stand with my friends and colleagues if/when they are faced with prejudice. I will continue to raise my voice and shine the spotlight on others wiser than I who speak out against injustice, racism, bigotry and misogyny. I will teach my children love, understanding and empathy knowing they will go into the world as good people that will champion the rights of others. I will not compromise on my worth and will celebrate others. And when things get real tough and I feel burn out approaching, I will rest and restock.
So I can keep going.
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