I'm sure that due to recent events, you've all read your fair share of empowering, motivating, and uplifting blog posts. But I just wanted to share my thoughts on all of these issues, as well as remind everyone that it's ok to stand up for what you believe in, because I think that a lot of people are afraid of that.
First things first, to my US blog buddies, I am here for you, we are all here for you, and now is the time for you guys to get your voices heard. I'm sure you've heard this all before, but I just wanted to remind you that if you ever need someone to talk to, you've got a whole world of people that want to support you. Now, I want to talk about a growing issue not only in the book community, but in real life as well, and that is being afraid to stand up for the real issues.
I see it in my own school everyday. Feminism is known as the "F" word. You don't mention it, and nobody gets hurt. If someone makes a racist remark, you're kind of afraid, myself included, to speak up because it's "freedom of speech". In my class, being a social justice warrior is something to be ashamed of, something that should be made fun of, because it means that you're sensitive and get offended at everything. A guy in my class actually uses SJW as an insult.
Even in the book community, I've noticed a lot of people saying that when they post about diverse books they are unfollowed, or not followed as much anymore. Diverse books are usually the best books out there, so personally it baffles me that people actually would rather only follow cookie-cutter, white-washed books. Does that not get boring?
So I just wanted to make this post to finally remind myself, and other people, that it's ok to be a social justice warrior. It's not an insult, it doesn't mean that you get offended at everything, and it should be something to be proud of. I've spent a lot of time this year putting up with a lot of crap from other people in my school, but I'm finally ready to not be ashamed of speaking up. Because I know now that by not speaking up, I am apart of the problem and preventing the change from happening. I know that some people may seem so narrow minded that you won't be able to change them, but at least you know that you did the right thing. I keep telling myself that it will be hard, but it's part of the process.
So I will finally wear my SJW badge with pride and I hope that many will accept it as well. Because at the end of the day, an SJW is as simple as being kind. As my good friend Cee @ Diary of a Reading Addict says: just don't be a jerk ;)
Emily @ Paperback Princess
