today I talked and talked and talked. of fear. of pain. of gratitude. there was a time I would just carry weight because i thought that was strength. speaking when it hurts is the true strength. speaking creates connection. connection creates compassion. the only place where power and peace can coexist is within compassion. we are living in a time of historic love, acceptance, and openness. it may not seem that way because we have more access to the news of hateful acts. that exposure, albeit, gut wrenching, gives us the opportunity to speak, the opportunity to act, the opportunity for change. to all those with a platform, thank you for speaking. to those without a platform but speaking one on one, thank you. to those listening, thank you. when it’s not happening to you or your country or a loved one it’s easy to disregard or feel that you’re speaking out of turn, but my heart feels when harm is done to anyone, it is done to all of us. we are more alike than we are different. one day, i have to believe, we’ll get it right.

poem by @nayyirah.waheed