Recent events in the news and right here in my neighborhood have me thinking about how we react to people and circumstances that hurt us and chip away at our spirit. I can’t help but think that, as difficult as life is, we are all much more powerful than we realize—a lesson I fortunately learned very early in life.
You see, I was once the short, quite child, who was teased endlessly about my size by fellow classmates. Then came Mr. Zarifeh, the oldest and wisest teacher in my elementary school, to substitute teach a class one day in second grade. He noticed the teasing and my embarrassment, so he stopped the lesson and gave the class a lecture on kindness. At the end of his talk, he said something I’ve never forgotten: “You really shouldn’t underestimate her….she may be small but her impact on the world will by no means be small.” Powerful words for a 7-year-old to hear. He said them with such conviction and authority that I was beaming for the rest of that day.
Thirty three years later, I’m still short and my impact on the world remains to be seen, but as I look back on Mr. Zarifeh’s words, I realize one very important thing: That was the day I stopped feeling like a victim and rejected out of hand that anyone can make me or make me feel like a victim again. This served me well as I navigated a new culture and language at age 13, in my work in politics and in personal relationships.
So, why am I writing about this? I see victims—or those accepting the role—all around me, and it drives me crazy. They are everywhere—from kids enduring bullying on the playground, to people accepting substandard service from government agencies, neighborhood residents being held hostage by gangs, and the list goes on.
This post is my way of standing on a rooftop and pleading with people to stand up to the bullies (after all, they’re just insecure cowards), demand timely and quality service from government employees (since our tax dollars pay their salaries), and for God’s sake stop holding candlelight vigils and building makeshift memorials after innocent children are murdered (these shrines, at least in my opinion, further fuel the flames of gang violence.) It’s never too late to take control.
Are we doing our best to reject the victim mentality? Or, are we modeling victimhood to our children? When was the last time you rolled down your car window and had a talk with a bully bothering your or someone else’s child? When was the last time you helped a police investigation after witnessing a crime? And, when was the last time you voted so you can have a say in how responsive your government ought to be? You have much more power than you realize. Take control. Now.
Laura
Laura
