The Paradox of Oppression

Whether we want to be or not, it is undeniable that we are all interconnected. The choices that I make affect people on the other side of the planet that I will never meet. We are not simply connected to those in our own immediate circles. We are connected to those all around the world in this global society. Many of the things we buy are imported from other countries, but did it ever dawn on you how those things are made or how an American farm bill could affect farmers all over the world? Maybe you have maybe you haven't. One thing is evident is that this interconnectedness produces its own sort of paradox and that is the paradox of oppression. 

An obvious question is what is the paradox of oppression. It is basically the idea that your own oppression leads to the oppression of others. For example, workers in the USA who do not make living wages end up purchasing cheaper goods and are fiscally unable to boycott companies that treat workers overseas horribly or even enslave them. In essence, it is the idea that one sort of oppression leads to another sort of oppression. This allows for the entire oppressive system to have a tighter grasp upon the oppressed. In turn, the paradox of oppression can also work another way, USA workers make more money are able to afford to be pickier about where they buy from and workers overseas end up working in better condition. The idea is that our oppression is inexorably linked to others so much so that when one of us is in chains than all of us our. 

The implication of this paradox is that we have to look at fighting the power in not only a local or even national way. We have to look at it in an international way. We have to look at how the US has played a role in the mal-treatment of workers overseas and how the oppression Americans face here leads to the oppression of others elsewhere.  The bottom line is that we must take a deeper look and not just think about the ways US policy affects us but how these policies affect the world. When we are freed from our own oppression, we must strive to advocate for others. 

This world is so interconnected that it is impossible to not think about things in a global way and truly solve the issues. We must stand together against those who want to use workers as if they are disposable. To those who do not want every citizen of this planet to have access to basic human rights; education, healthcare, and a living wage. It is our time to stand together and fight the power. It is time to recognize our own part in these oppressive systems and realize our own power to make a change. We all must stand together in order to fight for a better world. 

Trivializing the Struggles of Marginalized Groups: Why I am sick of straight pride and white history month.

I am tired of hearing people especially privileged people say things like straight pride or it’s okay to be white. I am not saying there is anything wrong with being white or straight or having privilege as I understand there is nothing people do that makes them privileged. It is not something people have control over.  For a person to state things like this, they have to have a fundamental misunderstanding of the world and why marginalized groups saying things like gay pride or black lives matter. I remember once when I posted black and proud, a white guy I knew responded, “can I be white and proud?” This is a total misunderstanding  of why I might say something like black and proud. The statement comes out of a place of oppression. It comes from all the negativity that being black has been made into. It is a response to a society that criminalizes me for having dark skin, kinky hair, and distinctly black features and refuses to celebrate my beauty. While it is true you can say, white and proud or white lives matter, that misconstrues why these things are being said. They are coming in a response to a world where it is not good to be black therefore why would you be proud of it and where black lives don’t matter. My point is rather than being an annoying person who doesn’t recognize their privilege in society. Realize that the reason that saying you are black and proud is okay or white and proud, because our society oppresses black people. The reason that lgbtq pride is ok and not straight pride is because our society oppresses the lgbtq community. Trans women are killed just for being transgender. Black people are murdered just for being black. They are made to feel ashamed of the skin they are in. So please no Why isn’t there white history month or why aren’t their straight pride parades? Because you are not affirming your own dignity in the response to an oppressive system that dehumanizes you for simply existing.s

I oppose equality and here's why

Equality. I have seen the word thrown around in social justice circles and when discussing politics. It is almost always used to mean something positive. I don't agree with it. Now, you are probably thinking is she going to come out and start spewing some sort of hate speech. No, I promise you I won't. So, hear me out. I don't believe in equality because it advocates for giving people the same treatment regardless of race, gender, and other diversifying factors. While on the surface level, this sounds good, in actuality has many negative broader implications. While I do believe in some sorts fo equality, I value equitable treatment or justice over equality.

Let's look at this way if someone killed another innocent human being for no reason. We would probably want that person behind bars. If you truly want everyone to be treated equally we can't punish that person, because they must be treated like anyone else. This how true equality works. Well, you might counter that with no one really believes in equality in that sense then. While it may not be as obvious as not punishing murderers, it could be something like not wanting to give black people reparations after decades of continuous oppression. The reasoning can be cited because they want equality. This is why equality just doesn't work because everyone should not get the same treatment in every context. There are certain contexts where certain people need certain things. For example, wheelchair-bound people to need ramps and accessible buildings, but if we simply push for equality we either going to have everyone bound to wheelchairs or nor accommodations. The reality is everyone doesn't need the same exact treatment, but the treatment that is warranted by the circumstances. Japanese people who suffered internment got reparations and an apology, but whites did not get that same thing for the reason that it was a move of equity and not equality.

In our fight for social justice, we must make it clear that while equality is necessary in some cases. The ultimate goal is justice and equity and not equality. This is why I stand opposed to holding equality as the highest value in this fight because it will inevitably lead to further injustice.

Civil Disobedience: A Necessary Part of Societal Change

Civil disobedience has been an integral part of every movement within the US that has significantly altered history. One might even make the claim that civil disobedience is an imperative part of any movement. Nonviolent civil disobedience was a trade mark of the civil rights movements. African-American students sat at lunch counters illegally. They suffered an onslaught of physical assault by some of the white patrons. They also suffered arrest and being jailed. Why? To fight injustice. To create a place where I can go to any restaurant I want. Their tactics involved breaking the law. The very laws, they were breaking denied their humanity.

The idea that African-Americans were the 3/5ths of a human was etched into the nation's law. Japanese people were falsely imprisoned lawfully.  Native American's were slaughtered lawfully.  Domestic Violence was legal.  The idea that what is right is legal goes against basic morality and the course of history.  Our nation has a history of committing atrocities like genocide, slavery, theft of land, etc legally. The fact that it was the law of the land doesn't take away from the immorality of the actions. The laws were legislated evil.

To promote the idea that people should simply follow all laws (even immoral ones)  is ignorant. It erases the fact that the freedom I, an African-American, enjoy was attained through breaking the law. The freedoms my friends of color and women enjoy were attained by breaking the law. To claim that one should blindly follow the law even immoral or amoral law is to deny the very importance of civil disobedience and its part in nearly every significant social movement from civil rights to the worker's movement to suffrage. We enjoy an unprecedented amount of freedom in the US because they dared to break the law.  The question is are we going to live up to their hopes and dreams. Am I going to be the hope and dream of a slave? Are you going to be a hope and dream of those who broke the law to allow our freedom? Or will you stand in the box that's been given to you and yell at those who dare to leave theirs?

Curves and dresscodes don't mix

Being veloptous is difficult at times. While some people may claim it is the perfect ideal, it comes with its on set of challenges whether that is finding jeans, dresses, or bras. Dresscodes are an entirely different hurtle especially when you are a thick and curvy black girl. Dresscodes are generally sexist and unfair, but they specifically target curvy girls especially of color.

I remember getting pulled aside significantly more often for dress code than any of my less "blessed" girlfriends. Dresscodes are nightmare when one has more to cover. I remember crying due to the fact I couldn't find anything that met the dresscode that I felt good in. It's hard. I was personally never able to get away with skirting the lines of dress code. If my dress or skirt was a little bit too tight or an inch too short. I was called out immediately. I wouldn't have had a problem with this if other girls had been treated the same. The reality is that I got called on dresscode significantly more. Girls with skirts the same length or fittedness were not getting called for dresscode due to being skinnier. Dress codes are rarely ever created with thick girls in mind who fill out T-shirts way differently. That's why we perpetually get picked on.

Why do people sexualize the bodies of curvy girls? I think society has this idea that if women or teen girls have more fat in particular areas that they are inherently more sexual. Skinnier girls bodies are not seen as inherently sexual, therefore, they are in need of less policing.

WDress codes should be just not simply gender wise but also of women of different shapes. A skinny girl shouldn't be allowed to wear a form fitting dress, while a thicker girl would never be able imagine doing the same. Standards must be equitable for all parties. Society needs to stop picking upon curvy girls for things they can't change about themselves. Things need to be done to stop the hypersexualization of curvy girls' and women's bodies. 

An Open Letter to the Resistance

Dear Resistance,

You have all surprised me with your willingness to stand up for what is right. I have been encouraged from all the beautiful faces I have seen at rallies, marches, and meetings both online and in real life. I
love all of your eagerness to promote change and to stand against an agenda that hurts so many. I know you each have your own responsibilities of your lives, but the time you take out to focus on resisting The Trump administration is amazing. The difference that we can all collectively make together inspires me. The peacefulness of the protests have also warmed my spirit. Everyone simply desires to incite change through peaceful methods. I am also familiar with the frustration of the seeming inadequacies of such methods to draw attention. The fact is we have done something never done before. We have created some of the most impactful and largest international protests the world has ever seen. Most have been done with little or  no incidents. This is an absolutely amazing feat. This is a testament to the character of those who choose to resist. I compel you to stand strong. Keep Resisting! Keep Calling! Keep Marching! Never stop! The power of our individual determinations together is unstoppable. We can and will do what has never been done before. So thank you. Thank you for inspiring me. Thank you for empowering me.

                                                         A Fellow Resistance Member

Having an Obvious Skin Condition

Feeling beautiful is a complicated journey for so many women and men. It seems that our society values the outer appearance so much. Considering reality, outer appearance does significantly affect our existence as human beings. While we can lie to ourselves and claim that we don't care or that the commentary doesn't affect us, that isn't necessarily true.

Personally for me, I have a skin condition called eczema. If you know me in real life you have probably wondered what those distinct dark marks are that speckle my arms and legs. Well, it is eczema. No, it's not contagious. No, I don't think it's ugly. Yes, I have chosen to love my most distinct characteristic. 

Having an obvious skin condition has always been a struggle for me. I admit I used to envy everyone else's skin. I had to come to the realization that my skin isn't going to be magically even toned, smooth, etc by hating my eczema. That being said I chose to love myself just the way I was. It has been a long journey and I still cringe a bit when people comment on it or stare, but I do love my cheetah spots. They are part of what makes unique. They are apart of my distinct beauty.

Learning to love yourself just the way you are is important. Hating yourself will not change a thing, but loving your uniqueness will make you happy. I compel you to love your stretch marks, hyper-pigmentation, acne, or whatever physical aspect of you that you don't like, but makes you unique. It's beautiful. Having to learn to love my imperfections has been amazing not only has it boosted my own confidence, it has allowed me to see the beauty in the imperfections others. I don't see imperfections as ugly but distinctions that provide and exquisite unique sort of beauty. While finding the beauty in yourself won't happen everyday, I encourage you to begin the journey to loving yourself just as God made you. You are beautiful. You are wonderful. You are exquisite. You are unique. Love yourself from the soles of your feet to the tip top of your head. 

Altering the Tide

Eleven. I was eleven, when Trayvon Martin was brutually slain. I remember thinking why? Why was he murdered when he didn’t do anything wrong. It broke my heart. It shattered my perspective of the world. I thought the world was so much better than it was then even though I had expereienced my own trials and heart breaks. I had experienced racism, but I had never really processed and labeled it as such. The shooting of Trayvon Martin was a turning point in my life and believes. It was something that started a process that is irreversible. I began to educate myself. I didn’t grow my passion for social justice overnight. It was birthed from inquiry. The senseless killing of Trayvon Martin sparked something in me. I needed to know how something so unjust could happen and how the killer could get away with it. I read. I read and I read. Articles,books, news. I need to understand what this was. Why that happened? In that process, I learned about more than I had bargained for. I learned about income inequality, wage pay gap, lack of girl’s education, human trafficking, systemic racism. I am stilling learning about all of these things. The world is so much more a darker place than it was to me at eleven, but I still have hope. Hope that one day things will change. When I heard that Philando Castille had not received justice, it took me back to that feeling I felt at eleven that sparked the inner activist in me. The feelings that this world is so unjust and unfair and an anger and anger to chance things. I will never forget them. I will also not forget the other victims of unfair police brutality and racism. They must be remembered. We cannot let their deaths be in vain. We must work together to change a system that allows for murders and rapists to go free and others to be sentenced years for smoking marijuana. Seventeen, I am seventeen. And I still am thinking why about the death of an innocent person. We need to, we have to, we must alter the tide of police brutality that has been sweeping over the black community for decades.

Demonizing the Opposing Party Must End

In the wake of a shooting in which Republicans were victimized due to party, it brought something to my mind not only how egregious and wrong what happened was, but how there is the culture of demonetization that makes a shooting only inevitable. Each party or side is constantly demonizing the other. Those who stand in the middle are considered wishy-washy not radical enough. While it is fine to have strong opinions, it is not okay to demonize others due to party affiliation. I have met good people who are libertarians, Republicans (some even voted for Trump), democrats, constitutionalists etc. I think it is easy to turn the opposite political position into a group promoting hell on earth. I have caught myself making broad stroking accusations towards the Republicans. In reality, not all Republicans are like that. I have been called democrap, libertard and a slew of other insults due to my politically left leanings. These insults and broad stereotypes are purposed with dehumanizing others.  While I may not agree with Republicans, I think demonetization is wrong. It almost always leads to violence. We must recognize that we all want the same basic thing and that is a better America.

An Open Letter to Racism Deniers

Dear Racism Deniers,

You're denial and minimization of pain you don't feel hurts. Instead of sympathy, you show the cold shoulder, because this doesn't affect you. When someone gets killed for racially motivated reasons, you need to hear more information before even showing the least bit of empathy. You have shown over and over that, I cannot trust you. I can't trust you with my stories, my emotions, and my reality. You are a part of the systemic oppression by denying its existence and not even attempting to remedy the cause. You say you would have helped during slavery, civil rights, etc. I don't buy it. You claim you support marginalized groups while continuing to speak over them calling them disillusion with a victim mentality. In reality, you are only blame-shifting and victim blaming. This helps no one if anything it hurts. The reason you may not want to realize the issues at hand because then you become apathetic. Yo are now responsible for your lack of action. Instead, you prefer to say wait. Instead, you prefer to victim blame. Instead, you prefer to scream over those already barely heard. Try something new like taking a time to show empathy. Listen. Don't just hear. Listen with a truly open heart. See with truly open eyes. Maybe you will see what those you blame are seeing. Maybe you will see the oppressing that some are crumbling under.

A Dear Social Justice Warrior Friend,

Lorrayya Williams

An Open Letter To Republicans

Dear Republicans,

You have allowed your party to ravished by racism, sexism, xenophobia, and many other forms of prejudicial hate. Before, you stop reading this letter hear me out, this isn’t to simply accuse you of your sins. This IS a call to action. When Donald Trump an open misogynist ran for president, you wholeheartedly supported him. You stood behind his even after calling mexicans  rapists and murderers even after he imitated and disabled reporter. When he made sexually objectifying comments about women, you ignored it or dismissed it as “locker room” talk. You claim your party is the party of Lincoln, but it isn’t. It doesn’t stand up for radical change for people of color or promote women’s rights. The republican party has morphed into a monster run by big business and openly allowing for hate. Xenophobic, racist, and misogynists comments are allowed much too often. All the while many republicans look the other way.  Not only does such behavior ignored, it is rewarded by re-election,  being defended, and minimizing the pain that is caused. This hate that you have allowed in your party, making it the safe heaven of the alt-right, neo-nazis, and neo-confederate, who cry “white supremacy.” You refuse to call this hate out. Your defense for lack of action is simply “free speech”.  Free speech doesn’t stop one from condemning immoral use of speech. Ignoring the issue only allows for it to grow.  You allowed the party to be a safe space for hate of all kinds. That is why the lack the diversity of the other parties in our nation. While you may dismiss this as a letter from a liberal crying wolf, I would encourage you to examine yourself. When is the last time you voted for someone who has said hateful things? Do you continue to support a candidate despite or because of their racism, xenophobia, sexism, etc? Do you allow for the stereotyping of marginalized groups? I would challenge you not to sit by and watch as your party's invaded by racists. I would encourage to challenge your own prejudice. Racist, sexist, xenophobic comments and policy must not be tolerated. They must be called out, stopped, and those saying such things must not be re-elected.

Now, I understand not all republicans have taken part of this practice of ignoring discrimination, hate, and prejudice. The vast majority have. That is why neo-nazis, neo-confederates, and the alt right are perfectly at home. That must be challenged. So I compel you to not look the other and if you aren't keep doing what you're doing.

Sincerely,

A Dear Progressive Friend

Lorrayya Williams

Fat Is Not An Insult

Recently, I was talking with some girls. They were speaking about this other girl, who "
blew up". To me, she wasn't fat at all not even thick. It did make me feel self-conscious, because if this girl who was much skinnier than me had "blown up." Was I extremely fat? If so, what did that mean? I really don't possess any hard feelings for these girls, but I don't think they truly understand how people can internalize that. In addition, how fat really should not be seen as negative. Fat isn't an insult.

I remember at 13. I heard two girls talking in the bathroom about prom and their dress sizes. One was a 2 and the other was a 4. At the time, I wore a 8. That isn't huge or anything, but I felt extremely embarrassed for being so much bigger than the other girls. I considered myself fat. I thought that was an insult to myself. I really wasn't fat looking back, but the fact that I thought fat was such a negative thing saddens me. I struggled to believe I was beautiful because fat girls couldn't be beautiful, right?

I discovered something my Junior year of high school. Fat isn't an insult. I remember seeing this beautiful woman, who happened to be fat, confidently call herself beautiful. She said that fat was just a descriptor and not insult. Something about her confidence and poise pushed me to believe her. I think the way I view fat has changed ever since.

I have been inspired by so many fat women. Yes, I said fat, because they are. I am amazed daily at all the things fat girls can do, According to society, we are supposed to be lazy and ugly with low-self-esteem. That is so far from the truth. Fat people are killing it whether that is in fashion or ballet, yoga, or any innumerable amount of tasks. Fat people can be awesome, beautiful, and confident. Fat is not an insult. Sometimes, I do find myself thinking less of me for having to get a different dress size because the smaller size doesn't fit. The size I wear has nothing to do with my value as a person nor my beauty.

Our society needs to change how it sees weight. Skinny is not the goal. Being happy with yourself and being healthy is. For some people, healthy looks like a size 16 for others it's a 2. No one should be judged for their jean size. Fat is not an insult. Fat is just a word that describes the size someone is. Let's stop using it as an insult. Let's support people being happy, healthy, and confident no matter what their jean size is, because fat is not an insult.

Social Justice Is Our Christian Duty

Recently, I have been thinking a lot about social justice and the way I approach it. I feel as though I compartmentalize it as not to offend those around me, but I beginning to realize that it is not at all something to hide or that should be offensive. Social justice is doing the work Christ called us to do. It is fighting for the weak, the oppressed, and the downtrodden. That is not something I should be ashamed of nor talk about openly. There are a few reasons that this fear exists. Social justice is considered political when in reality it is primarily biblical. That is an important fact that many modern day Christians can forget. 

    Social justice is a biblical concept. It is laced throughout the Bible. One might say I am trying to intertwine politics to heavily with my faith. I would certainly disagree. Social justice can be promoted through political means, but it itself is not political. Social justice can be defined as promoting equitable treatment of others within society. You can do this simply by treating others with fairness and equality. Jesus did this when he met the woman at the well. She was a Samaritan yet he didn’t let that stop him from talking to her. He never let the societal discrimination affect how he treated. He treated her with love. (John 4) Social justice is something that Jesus embodied in the way he treated others. It is an imperative way that we as Christians can love others well.

    Social justice in our everyday lives looks like treating others equitably and fighting for justice within society. I think there are many of ways one can do that. You can support movements and causes that promote social justice. In history, we have seen many movements that Christians have spearheaded that promote social justice. The civil rights movement promoted social justice. Many Christians were heavily involved. One prominent Christian was Martin Luther King Jr.  In addition, social justice can be promoted in small ways. From gently correcting someone's wording to educating others about modern injustice. Your place in the social justice movement depends on what Christ has called you too, although I think we are all called to promote social justice.

    I firmly believe that Christians cannot lose our place in the social justice movements across the world. We need to stand up for those suffering injustices. Social justice is an imperative way to show love to others in our world. We must, “Defend the weak and the fatherless;  uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” (Psalms 82:3) We must seek after the command of Christ to love others. Loving others well is the point of social justice. (John 15;17) That is why social justice is our Christian duty.