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Image by Henning Westerkamp from Pixabay*
In my internship as a teacher, I've seen firsthand the power that invisibility can have in breaking the chains of prejudice and discrimination and I remembered that I lived it. When I was younger, I was always the "invisible" boy in class. The one who never spoke up or raised his hand first, who blended into the background and didn't make waves. But what my classmates didn't know was that I was using my gift of invisibility to quietly observe them and learn about them and their perspectives.
What I found was that, even though we may not have looked alike on the outside, we all had more in common than I ever could have imagined. We all wanted to be accepted and loved, we all had fears and hopes and dreams. And through my interactions with them, I began to see the world through their eyes instead of my own.
It's been a few years since I've been in a classroom and over the years much of the education system has changed, evolved but I still use the gift of invisibility sometimes to break down barriers of prejudice and discrimination. Whenever I'm in a situation where there is potential for misunderstanding or conflict, I take a step back and observe before speaking or acting even if it's not directed directly at me. This has allowed me to diffuse many tense situations and build relationships with people from all around the world.
I believe that we all have the ability to use our own gifts to create a more compassionate world. By taking the time to understand others and see things from their perspective, we can begin to break down the walls that divide us and create a more equitable society.
Invisible activism is a term used to describe the act of using one's privilege to fight discrimination. For example, an activist might use their platform to speak out against racism or sexism.
They can have a significant impact on society by using their voices to draw attention to issues that are often overlooked. When invisible activists use their privilege to stand up for those who are oppressed, it can help to break down the barriers.
Throughout history, many people who have made a significant contribution to the world have been invisible to others. They were servants or just passengers on the bus. That is a super power we actually possess. Although we can't enter the ladies locker room or forbidden places - Not gonna lie, it'll be cool!!!!! - , we still possess that power. The invisible boy in love with his best friend's girlfriend, the one that never shows his feelings or vice versa. The invisible cloak of life, where the real magic lies in us.
Let our children not grow up in a terrible world. Together we can make it better. It is our destiny to
suffer from the past, to long for the future, but to forget the present.
Any unsourced images and writing are my own. Life is worth it!
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