That phrase.
It’s a powerful one. It encourages us to use our voices to reach out and inspire hope in those who need it most.
Right now, there’s a community that is imploding over a pattern of marginalization of women of color. A pattern that has repeatedly disenfranchised and discarded their efforts and their voices. It’s not okay for that to be happening. Anywhere, let alone in an arena where it’s already difficult for women of color to speak up and reach out because culture tells them not to do so. Culture tells them to be strong. To chin up and just move forward no matter what they are facing.
But.
They too, are human. They too have hearts. They too, have feelings. And they too, MATTER.
This is why we are angry.
This is why we are raising a cacophony of voices which will not be silenced until all is made right and the pattern ceases to exist.
We were told it would change. We were led, like sheep, to the trough of hope, and then that trough disappeared…it was empty. A mirage.
So here we are. Once again. But this time? This time we will not be silenced. We will not be dismissed.
In the meantime, for those who once sought support from Postpartum Progress for women of color and are in need of different avenues for resources, I strongly urge you to start with The Tessera Collective. Graeme Seabrook also has postpartum resources. And I will be re-opening #PPDChat soon as well, because moms don’t need to lose out as this battle wages on. Just because we are entrenched in this, doesn’t mean that Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders will be put on hold. No, they’re gonna keep knocking at the doors of so many and we need to be there to help them speak up, reach out, and inspire hope in their hearts that they WILL get through this.
(If you’re interested in helping me re-open #PPDChat, because I can’t do it alone, please reach out to me either on Twitter or email me. )
If you want to sign a petition to make it right?
Want to support Graeme & Jasmine financially as they’ve now lost their PPI income as a result? Go here.
Make a difference.
