This is a request from a very tired light worker – Be a nice human please. I am pretty sure that there are others just completely exhausted by all this hate and division. Yes there are a lot of horrible things going on in this world. Many people are expressing that they do not like this person or that person’s behavior. We have every right in the world to be angry and express our opinions. Conflicts happen, but do we have to do it in such a negative and nasty way?
Friends Remind Us to Be Nice
A friend of mine posted something about the debate and it started with “Please realize this is not about the debate…. this post is asking about double standards and racism…” Most did not see the point of the post because they immediately went to their bias. Bias is ingrained and is a learned behavior. I have been thinking about this lately and have realized that there were many things I thought and acted on without realizing how it contributed to reinforcing privilege that I grew up with.
Recently the Susan B. Anthony House asked the staff and volunteers to go on a journey with the book “Me and White Supremacy” by Layla F. Saad. It has been an uncomfortable journey as I have been working through the chapters which are broken down by days.
My friend’s post set me back to this work that I started in July. I had stopped about halfway through because I had another surgery and I mentally have not felt up to dealing with it. Now healed, her post is bringing my attention to it. Her post made me go back and revisit the work that I had done. The level of discomfort I still feel.
Be a Nice Human Please
I see how this book as affected me during this election cycle. I have been able to let people be who they are and not try and change their minds. A part of me misses a disagreement not turning into a nasty exchange. The whole idea to “agree to disagree” and still be friends. That starts with not being racist, sexist, exclusionary or being a jackass. Do your civic part and vote. Too many people have fought long and hard for our right to do so.
Remember, Words have power. Use them wisely. There is plenty of anger and nastiness out there. Come from a place of compassion, love and kindness. The world is a better place because of it. It is time we all walk the walk and be the change that we desire in this world.
