Solynya

I am not the bottom. Even though this is constantly reinforced to me through words, actions and such, it is not true. And even though the following may hold some truth, I am not, the bottom.

“You ain’t sh*t!”
“Do you really think that will work?”
“Aren’t you a bit old to start that?”
“You’ve been talking about that for a long time. It hasn’t happened yet!”
“I mean, being a black woman, this venture will be so much harder for you.”
“Being black, you will have to work twice as hard to get to the same place.”
“You know, that’s how they do black folks.”
“I don’t see that being as reasonable to pursue, maybe you should try something else.”
“The availability for somebody that looks like you in that type of field is very limited. Are you sure you want to do that?”

Commonly used words and phrases, widely accepted offensive beliefs, actions, societal ills – will sometimes put you down. They will try to make you the bottom. But unless you allow them to, they do not have that power. You are not the bottom.

What if someone who you feel should understand your circumstances, struggle, battle or movement, puts you down? First, do not let that make you second guess yourself. Understand that you should not internalize these things. Realize that so many negative things reinforced by the masses are not even what they really feel. It is conditioning. They have gotten into the bad habit of responding with negativity. Why? Some reasons are
– because they have been treated that way for so long that they have in some sense accepted it as thee “acceptable behavior” and perpetuate it, or,
– they feel that they are protecting you from failure by preventing you from trying/getting your hopes up only to feel broken or be met with the type of negativity, that they are already showing (makes no sense, I know) and so on.

Keep in mind that in many instances people are able to become an integral part of a system that works toward their own demise. They can grow so accustomed that they will fight to protect their place in, rights of, and growth of a system that is enabling widespread detriment of positivity. This is more reason to continue through positivity toward your weird, wild, crazy, vision of grandeur dreams. Make them real, because in that decision, in those actions, and through each small liberation you allow yourself, you show and allow others to do the same. Light bulbs will turn on above heads as you pass. Your life will be liberation. You will inspire the change that we need, including the doubters. They want to believe too. People many times are able to allow themselves to respect you more when they see your movement, work, and accomplishments.

It may be true that success in your pursuit is atypical and according to trend is not entirely likely or the norm. It may even be improbable but improbable is not impossible. You can accomplish things that are not the norm. Believing that you can is so important, and then apply stick-to-itiveness.
This is not to say, “ignore everybody that disagrees, you don’t need them, they hatin’” ya ya ya. NO. You do need people. We’re social creatures. The key is to find balance. Tune into that seeking. Listen, be rational, sort through it all, take what you need and leave the rest. Consider this, some opinions you hear now are only for this moment. People can be fickle. Growing people will change. Plus, you have a light they may not be able to see yet. Keep shining. Besides the only constant is change. Opinions are no exception. So carry on, continue your course of action. Keep at it, keep pushing, keep moving, keep shining, keep illuminating, keep inspiring, and keep liberating. Because you – are not the bottom.