When you’re different, you have to work at belonging. If you’re different (which you are), belonging to someplace, something or someone doesn’t come easy. This is because you don’t easily fit into what society considers acceptable. You have to be kinder, nicer, more helpful to be accepted in society than the average person has to.
The first step in being inclusive is to recognize our blind spots. When someone is slightly different, it becomes hard for us to accept them. When we start treating them differently because they are different, it dehumanizes them in a certain way. It makes them feel like an outcast. Which is wrong. We need to recognize our blind spots by understanding what makes us different and embracing those qualities. Just because you’re like everyone else does not mean that you’re better.
Once you understand your differences, accept them and appreciate them, only then you will be able to do so for others.
It takes courage to show respect.
“Failing to see anything good on the other side makes dialogue impossible. Without dialogue, we will keep repeating the same mistakes, because we will not learn anything new.”
Sometimes some differences simply suck. Sometimes you can’t do anything about them. And that’s okay. You just don’t let those differences define you. Rise above them. Being able to re-imagine yourself beyond what others see, is the toughest task of all, but is also the most beautiful.
The single thing that all of us have in common is being human. So, take a stand to defend your race, the human race.
The one thing I want you to take away from this:
“I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will fight to death to defend your right to say it.”
“Voltaire.“
Let’s celebrate those imperfection that make us special.
