I watched a movie the other night on the History Channel. I know, I know. You’re asking, really? The History Channel? You?
Yes, because Matt Damon was involved. Anyway, the movie was called The People Speak and it was based on the book A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn.This is neither a book nor a movie review, so I will leave it at this: I was reminded that our country has been changed by its people, the ones brave enough to speak up, over and over again (more than any history book tells us.)It left me wondering if I am brave enough to stand up for something. I came to the conclusion that I may not be. As a parent, that makes me feel terrible. Sure, I advocate for my kids-to a point. Often I back down if it gets too controversial or scary or hard. I don’t risk offending.
My job is to teach my children to stand up for what they believe in-even if it’s hard. Yet, here I sit-quiet, except around people I feel safe with. The problem is, as I’ve said before, I can be easily swayed. I am constantly seeking information and therefore constantly changing my mind. I rarely stand up for what I believe if it falls in controversial territory or if my opinion might risk hurting people’s feelings or alienating people. The reason is because I am never fully sure if I am 100% committed to any idea. If given a good counter argument, I may rethink my own opinions. So, I stay quiet. And that might make me a wimp or just a confused mind. I’m not even sure I can definitively stand up for that.
The other day I got on a conference call with medical professionals and cancer survivors. We were talking about cervical cancer and prevention.
I thought I knew how I felt about the HPV vaccine. It was one of the few topics where I had spoken out because I thought I was sure. Turns out I was wrong.
I’ll get into it more later but for now I’ll ask you-do you know what you believe in? Are you brave enough to stand up for it?
As a parent, can you settle for any less?
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i avoid conflict. always. however, i seem to surround myself with people who aren't afraid to speak up. (friends, family, hubby) works out nicely.
I am so proud Miss P. It becomes a whole lot easier when you realize there are new generations to learn (or not learn) whatever is being spoken.
i am so much like you on this one but getting more and more opinionated (less and less afraid to be perhaps?) as the years press on.
standing up "for" something is one thing. seems like standing against something is easier, right? in that vain – one thing i have stood up against kinda recently is intolerance (showing up as ignorance in this example.)some family member dared say a derogatory word in my house as the punchline to a joke (very tasteless and against our president kind of "joke") and i said, "say it again and you'll never be welcome back in this house ever." coulda heard a pin drop. little miss p ready to throw down! (p.s. all in front of little ears too so i would not back down for my life)
you would've been so proud 🙂
I noticed no one replied, perhaps not brave enough to muster up the courage. Or perhaps too busy getting ready for Christmas. Must be the latter.
Lots of love
Ottilie