When I was young, I was discriminated against a lot. I was discriminated against for not being a good student, for my ethnicity, for my social status. I was discriminated against for things I had control over and things I had no control over (like my parents’ income, my height). I was also discriminated against by my own family.
My mom discriminated against me for being a girl (and not a boy) and for being sick while everyone else was healthy. Even my siblings excluded me for not being able to sing like them.
Back then, I felt very sad and miserable about it. I think I was very confused. It was hard for me to comprehend people’s discrimination towards things I had no control over. Now, over 35 years later, I am glad I experienced that discrimination.
Do you know why?
Because it made me the person I am today – A better person that remembers what discrimination feels like and speaks up for justice. It made me realize that discrimination is a fear of the unknown or the different. It is a sign of insecurity.
At the age of 16, I realized what was happening around me and decided to take control over my life. I became a social justice advocate and learned to speak up for others. On two very important occasions in my life, I suffered (big time) for speaking up. It was painful at the time, but it made me stronger in my beliefs.
I have learned that
Discrimination says something about the discriminating person, not about the person being discriminated against
In my view, education is the way to teach acceptance make this world a better place. Teaching people to speak up is the way to make this change happen faster.
Watch this video and ask yourself, what would you do?
Remember to speak up against discrimination. Remember H.U.G.S: Helping Us Grow Spiritually.
May the force be with you,
Ronit
