Speak UP

What are you really saying  when staying silent around LGBTQ and BIPOC issues? - 

.

We are really good at living in a privilege bubble. But this bubble keeps many people out.  There is no room to develop empathy—to see life from another’s point of view.  We are all part of the human family, and every part is valued and needs to be represented.  Having a strong faith in Jesus Christ doesn’t mean we push people away.  It means we gather. 

.

Elder Holland gave an LDS conference talk entitled, “Waiting on the Lord”.  It’s a great reminder about how God’s timing is not ours and this life is filled with goodness and suffering.  I also believe the Lord is waiting on us to become Christlike— to not contribute to another person’s suffering, to love and not judge, to be His hands on earth and share His goodness by how we live our lives.  He is waiting for us to “get it.”  To step up and help each other. 

If you have privilege ( which if the world works for you- then you do) then amplify others voices, stick up for the marginalized and be a stone catcher not a stone thrower.

_____________

Courage is required for advocacy because criticism is guaranteed.

What other people think of me— and criticize about me, is none of MY business. It says so much more about them, than it ever does about me.  I just need to bless and release them.  

___________

How do we become more empathetic towards our fellow being?   

Recall when you have been left out.  - Picked last. -  Not invited. - Not cast in a show.  - Lost a job and tried and tried to get a new one.  Use that experience to imagine what someone else is experiencing 24/7 with systems of prejudice and people that exclude. We can all use our own experiences of life to find and then share our empathy.  Yes…..All lives matter but not all lives have mattered.