I’ve recently been more political online, and I thought, hmm I’m looking to be a published best-selling author one day, this may hurt my career. But then I thought, why should my values of inclusion and fairness for all stop my career? If anything, it weeds out all those who aren’t these things, readers and followers of which I probably don’t want or need anyway.
I should never silence myself, at the detriment of those communities I advocate for, just for fear of backlash from people who’s opinions I don’t value.
What is “political”
I take issue with what is considered “political”. Mainly, I talk about humanitarian issues, human rights issues, just humanity! The good of the world and the people in it. And yes, this is, by definition, political but when you say politics you think left-wing, right-wing, elections and politicians and long-winded laws.
Laws are what make our lives easier or harder, yes. So I care about politics, of course I do.
But I wouldn’t call myself “political”. I wouldn’t call what I talk about “politics”.
I’m just…passionate? Caring? Defensive? Empathetic? Like to stand up for the little guy?
When you care about people as much as I often do, you have big feelings that you then express in conversation or online (as writing is my go-to form of self-expression).
My values system
My value system is simple:
I want everyone to feel safe, comfortable and free in this world
Not just people who look like me or live like me. Not just people I know. Everyone, perhaps excluding those who deliberately defile this value e.g. billionaires who attack marginalised groups for profit and to control governments.
And I must be clear, this will differ person to person. One person’s “safe, comfortable and free” will not necessarily look the same as another person’s “safe, comfortable and free”.
That means that if someone’s SCF is wearing hijab and following the lead of their husband, who am I to discount or deny them that?
If someone’s SCF is changing their physical meat-sack (I mean body!) to fit how they feel their gender expression should be, who am I to tell them they are wrong?
Context
Now, there are always those who play Devil’s Advocate and say unfair things like “what about in war? if someone feels SCF if they bomb a hospital for their country and what they believe in? is that okay?” Erm, no, obviously not.
There’s safe, comfortable and free but it’s not on a purely individual level. For example, I might feel more SCF naked but I know I can’t go walking the streets with my tits hanging out. I have to be considerate, fair, and inclusive of those around me when expressing my personal SCF.
This is called context and nuance! A thing some people forget about!
Therefore, if one solider is attacking another, it depends on context. Which nation is invading the other? For what reason? What other options were explored before this situation began? Can we truly blame soldiers following orders for the crimes, actions and beliefs of their commanders?
And take trans and non-binary or gender fluid folks. I believe any adult should have the choice to express however they desire. Their gender expression does not directly hurt or impact anyone else (you being offended by it is an issue with you, not them). However, if a child / minor wishes to physically alter their body, I do think we should be careful about this.
See, nuance!
Why my say matters
I am just a tinsy tiny fish in a very vast ocean online. My blog, my YouTube channel, my Instagram are all methods I use to express myself. However, my audience is small on all three. I am grateful for every single one of you who read, watch, or engage with my content, but I am not a big creator in this space.
So, what does it matter what I say? I should just keep quiet, play the long game, and be careful not to upset people. Right?
Wrong.
Any one person’s voice matters, even if that’s just in a conversation between two people. It can be the difference between one person thinking quite narrow-minded about an issue, and them being open to exploring new perspectives. I truly believe that a lot of prejudice and hate comes from a lack of education and exposure. If you don’t mix with other communities, for some, it can be hard for them to care (which is sad). It’s not their lived experience, so they struggle to understand it and therefore berate, villainise and exclude those groups:
- Colonised and under-developed countries and their experience
- Trans folk and their experience
- Non-binary and gender fluid individuals
- Gay, lesbian or bi (pan) individuals
- Black, Asian, Indigenous, Latinx or other experience
- Disabled experience (which is VAST and VARIED)
- Single parents
- Mentally unwell or neurodivergent folks
- Those on the poverty line or seek welfare support from the government
- Domestic violence or sexual assault victims
Instead, if people hear from these marginalised or misunderstood groups, and we share alternative ideas, we could help make the world a safer, more accepting and kind place to live for all.
That’s all I want when I share what I do. I don’t claim to be an expert. ABSOLUTELY NOT! I don’t have all the answers. My mind will change overtime with new experiences and new information. That’s called being a learner! A human being! But while I can, I will speak up for marginalised groups and those who are left out and throw to the ground by those in power.
Remember, most of us are the majority, in this life thing together, not the minority 1% at the top who pull our strings
Sincerely,
S. xx
S. R. Crawford 