Above All Else Be Kind

I am a multi complex human being who does harm. This is something that I have been repeating to myself since I started HCW. I use plastic straws, I don't wear my mask all the time when I'm out in public, and I definitely have ideals that need to be decolonized out of me. But I am not above correction.

All day long Queer people are inundated with hate. We trudge through our days reading about attacks on our way of life, our businesses, our people. So much so that you would think that we would have grace. But, we don't. I have seen a lot of people sitting in judgement of others playing "Accountability Police". I have always felt that the Queer community should feel like a warm embrace, especially when we are greeted by a cold world every day.

Social media has created nuance. Where even if in general we believe in progress, the methods that we choose to achieve said progress varies depending on who you speak with. The creation of this nuance has sowed the seeds of decent amongst us. We forget that people are human, and immediately call for action. On with the cancellation, the deplatforming, and off with their head while you're at it. No holding space for people to grow their perspective. No practice of forgiveness. Just an immediate need to point out who is wrong

This doesn't go to say that no one should be held accountable, but it does mean that we have to govern ourselves. Everyone knows someone who has done harm but throws their hands in the air to feign Innocence. They blame "woke culture" or cry "accountability police" when someone asks them to take ownership of what they have done. Accountability is not the bad guy. It allows you to take in a different perspective, grow, and evolve. You're able to reprioritize your goals and move forward. People push for progress but fail to remember that it starts with them. How can I evolve if I'm not able to progress my ideals by including the perspective of others, and admitting when I'm wrong?

But here we are. Arguing over social media posts. Insulting each other. Unfollowing each other. Creating more harm by not holding space for people. Not realizing that tenderness is required. The outside world treats us rough. We greet each day with expectation to be rejected, shunned. Humans by nature are an imperfect machine. We make errors, mistakes, and accidents all the time. And there are people committed to being social media mobs. But I ask as a community that we practice grace and hold space for one another. Letting love and tenderness guide us into the future that we hope to see.