Written work

How will focusing on the light within help you, help others?

“Let nothing dim the light that shines from within.”- Maya Angelou
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Maya Angelou has shared many story’s, words and experiences with the world, that have touched many individuals lives, with the goal of uplifting all people, she truly left a mark.

Despite the hardship she faced through her life, she was able to remain resilient, she persevered and achieved that which she set to achieve.
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The concept of not letting anything, dim the light you resonate, is one rooted in a sense of knowing.

Knowing yourself, accepting yourself and embracing that which makes us who we are wholeheartedly.
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Far too often, people compromise parts of themselves to coexist, when you refuse to let anything dim your light, you can step into your authenticity and you’re able to share that with others.

“I’m not really into my truth being filtered in anyway shape or form to make other people feel comfortable, when I’m not speaking for them. ” – Indya Moore

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Sharing your unfiltered truth is essential, it may inspire others who may not be able to or it may educate those who have yet to learn.

Language is a colonial construct of the oppressive systems, used to segregate us amongst ourselves.

Being eloquently spoken, is something that gives people an advantage, it comes with a respect from others but far too often people forget to recognise the privileges that come with linguistic expression.

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Language has been used to prioritise advantages to those who have access unfortunately access hasn’t been equally attainable to black and brown people historically.

Yet many individuals from marginalised communities have excelled, persevered and endured much hardship and have gone on to use their voices to inspire others, recognising that the main priority is to share ones lived experiences, amplify other voices and remain true to ourselves, whilst growing into our truth.

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Indya has used the platform that she has attained to amplify the voices of others in the trans community, that’s something that’s valued and respected by many.

Differences, they make us who we are but do we allow them to separate and divide us?

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Unity is about celebrating the differences each individual possesses not ignoring them, only then can we achieve unity, an injustice for one is injustice for all.

Solidarity, is often used to create a sense of unity although it is an inherently socialistic framework.

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The socialistic framework believes the current systems in place can be reformed and tailored to individual‘s needs, however to achieve unity and a sense of solidarity one would have to recognise how the framework disenfranchises LGBT+, BIPOC and other marginalised communities.

After recognition, consistent action needs to follow.

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So it takes us back to differences, the framework wouldn’t like us to acknowledge them.

But in light of the recent events many women have stood in solidarity with one another regardless of differences and the common goal has been to ensure that all women’s voices are amplified and heard.

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Unity is only attainable once one has recognised and redistributed the advantage and privilege they possess, be a vehicle for change, for all, always.

Everything we say has an affect, our words are intentional as are the thoughts behind them, so I ask you to think back to the last time you made a conscious effort to be intentionally nice, what was your motivation? 
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Being nice could be interpreted in many different ways, it’s very subjective depending on one’s values, it could be as simple as giving what you would like to receive, a simple act in which one, treats another with the basic human decency we are all inherently entitled to.
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Actively choosing to be nice could contribute towards the upliftment of others, it could help to give them the confidence they need to do more, a simple thing, like respecting others pronouns and using them, to most people this is a small action but the thing with being nice is, it starts with small actions.

Acknowledging the essential workers who have prioritised our wellness over the past year, acknowledging those who have been putting others needs before their own, choosing to show kindness in our day-to-day actions, wearing a mask, having a genuine conversation in which we listen, speak and connect authentically , checking in on those you care about.

Simply put we can do many small things, the question is, what are you going to do? will you choose Nice?

Protest is an act of resistance, resistance is an act of protest, when done in unity with a progressive goal that focuses on giving a voice and platform to those who may go unheard, it can lead towards the liberation of all people. Far too often to protest is perceived as radical, many seem to ignore the sense of pride it instills into those who stand for what they know is right.

So we ask, what is protest to you? Do you resist with a sense of pride? 

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For one to resist, we first have to become aware of our circumstances and how they may disenfranchise us, reflecting and assessing how we may achieve our desired outcomes is essential, resisting without a sense of authentic pride, could result in unfavourable outcomes.  
Looking back specifically to the Stonewall riots we are presented with many different acts of resistance,  the work that was done by the LGBT+ community activists was then labelled as radical, the consistency of pride from those in disenfranchised communities contributed towards a collective pride, that future generations would go on to celebrate, standing in and owning their truth, celebrating and not tolerating each others differences. 

Recognising the sacrifices people made to actively seek the liberation of their wider communities, whilst living in a society that criminalised their existence is paramount.
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The anti-trans rhetoric we hear often in the media is a reflection on societies tolerance for the trans community in the current day. 

Resistance is the first step towards your authentic pride, be proud, resist and uplift your wider communities.  

Is equality and inclusion for all, something you actively seek for those underrepresented individuals within your workplace?

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Far too often black queer women are overlooked and erased, throughout history in the workplace women have come together to seek equality and representation of all women, queer women in particular have often used their voices alongside liberation movements to ensure the inclusion of all.

Despite the lack of representation within the workplace women have managed to get to a place in which, fair pay and equality is something that is actually accessible, unfortunately it’s not accessible to all as many individuals from the LGBT community still don’t have fair access to job opportunities and when they do discrimination is almost guaranteed .
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Inclusion and equality are two different things, one cannot exist without the other, when queer women seek equal pay and equality in the workplace they are asking for no more than their cis male counterparts; cis women already occupy a majority.

LGBT equality and representation within the workplace has always been a struggle for those from marginalised backgrounds, although many have been seeking equality and advocating for fair wages, for a very long time, it comes down to the employers morals.
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It would be foolish to just seek equal rights for a few in the west while over-looking those in other countries that have been exploited and continue to be exploited, the practices of capitalism basically need to be reflected upon for us to progress.

Self love doesn’t have to be a revolutionary act we only consider when the circumstances force us to reflect, it can start with a simple acknowledgement of ones self. ‘More self love’ may mean different things depending on the individual.

When you think of *self love* what comes to mind?

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Some look internally when it comes to self love, for some, it may be rooted in stillness, others may prioritise others, it is truly dependent on the individual and their needs and requirements.

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Self love has been portrayed to us as an act of wellness, when really it’s an entitlement that we should all be able to access. Some people unfortunately don’t have the privilege to prioritise self love, so it takes us back to being nice, not only to others but also to yourself.

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When we reach a state of self love, we are free from, all restraints, judgments and insincere opinions, self love brings a sense of authenticity, that others recognise.

So we ask, how do you show yourself love?