SPEAKING YOUR TRUTH
As I sit here this morning, feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted, I can’t help but to think about what it means to have a voice in this country and to speak your truth. As you may know, I launched this blog a week ago on my birthday. I had a whole list of topics to write about and things to share, and just when I thought I’d start writing a round-up of my favorite poetry books, this happened. George Floyd was murdered in the streets of our city just a few minutes away from where I live. I questioned whether or not I wanted to write about it. Do I want to set that tone for my new blog? Do I want to potentially steer people away from reading my posts? And then I read this quote by Cleo Wade from a poetry book I have next to my bed. It reads:
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“Silence is not the answer to your pain. I believe that we make the world safer when we speak up. I believe that bravery is contagious and others speak up when we speak up. And perhaps most important, I believe that every time we speak up, we tell the world who we are instead of letting the world tell us who we should be.”
“My friend Maud once said, ‘There are times when we must speak, not because you are going to change another person, but because if you don’t speak, they have changed you.’”
“Silence doesn’t change the world. It changes us. It shrinks us. It takes our stories and feelings away from us and buries them alive. Unearth what is buried in you. Free yourself in this way.”
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With that, I reminded myself — This blog is for me, this blog is my journal, this blog is an extension of my heart space. And in order to remain authentic and pure to who I am and what I stand for, I knew it was important to write. This post isn’t about the tragedy in itself, this post is about using your voice and speaking up. If you can connect to these words, know that you are my person.
I have never been one to be quiet about things that are important to me, things that invoke some sort of feeling within me. Sometimes it’s to my detriment. I’ve been reprimanded for speaking my truth on several occasions. I’ve been told to be quieter, to not be “so much”, and to worry less about others. However, I always find myself back in situations that I simply cannot ignore; situations that make feeling and emotion burst from my chest that creates a need in me to either speak up, write, or do both.
Over the past few days, as tragedy has unfolded in Minneapolis, I’ve been filled with mixed emotions and spent a whole lot of time thinking. I’ve thought about white privilege {which I acknowledge}, about racism in our country {which is alive and well}, about police brutality, about history, about what the future holds, and everything in between. I have spent time alone, time in conversation, time in peaceful protest, and, to be honest, a lot of time on social media. Social media can be really tricky. It can become an extremely toxic place and, for me, can really weigh down on my mental and emotional health. This week has been no different; however, the way I’ve decided to use social media and move forward on my platforms has shifted.
I have known the importance of speaking my truth, but now more than ever the world needs to hear us. The world needs us to speak up for those who feel unheard, to stand firm in what we believe in, to be an advocate for our neighbors, and to be a spot of light and community in a world that can feel so dark and alone. I have learned that there are a handful of people I will probably never see eye-to-eye with, and that is okay. More importantly, I have learned just how many people truly hold the same beliefs and values that I do and want to see forward-thinking, progressive shifts and changes in our country. Those people are my people. Those people help inspire me and make a difference in not only my life, but the lives of others as well.
I have done what I can to stand firm in my truth, to share my views, and to do what is in my power to help others understand. Fortunately, I have been able to shed light on a few topics and conversations and help to shift the mindset of a handful of people. That felt like a major win to me. I have removed toxicity from my platforms – people and accounts that don’t align with who I am or where I am going. That felt good. I have also connected with so many people, some of who I have never talked to before, who thanked me for my videos, for my photos, and for my words. That made everything worth it.
In turn, I have found a whole new level of respect for the community I call home, the businesses I drive by daily, and the people that make up Minneapolis. These people, these business owners, and these citizens are using their power and their voices to demand change, to support one another, and to share their truths with the world. Although we are going through a very dark, ugly, and complex moment in time, I’ve never felt more connected to this community.
Sometimes speaking your truth can be uncomfortable. It is hard to be vulnerable, especially in a world that passes so much judgment and hate, but I can promise you this -- there WILL be someone who will hear your words and feel inspired. Maybe you will give someone the bravery and courage they needed to speak their truth, too. Throughout the years, new experiences and life lessons will reshape you and your truth may look a little different. The amount of change and growth I’ve gone through in just five years is exponential. My truth has shifted but my heart has always remained the same.
Whether you are in conversation with a stranger, at home around the dinner table, or on social media, it is imperative that we speak up, that we speak our truth. It allows us to be a voice for the voiceless and a place where others can seek information, inspiration, and solitude. We were born in a country that allows us the freedom of speech. We need to use that privilege. The world needs us. Stand strong, stay informed, and at the end of the day, speak your truth even if your voice shakes.