Resistance Through Storytelling
Bursting Through Knowledge and Power
Last week the president revoked executive orders that delivered major blows to equality. Some of these fairness protections date back to the civil rights movement.
His quick actions reversed executive orders related to racial equality, environmental justice, and discrimination against LGBTQ people. At this point, it’s impossible to know the impact this will have on anyone who is not a wealthy white heterosexual man.
I realize these rollbacks are specific to the federal government and its agencies. State and local governments and the private sector will decide their go-forward values and policies.
Ahead of the president's actions, various corporations from different industries have already eliminated their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices. Ironically that list includes a diverse product, employee, and skill set pool ranging from John Deere to Meta.
None of this should surprise anyone who is even slightly paying attention. During his campaign, the president turned equality into an evil action as MAGA members laughed and cheered. Others who don’t identify as MAGA but align with the ideology were easily convinced that fairness is a four-letter word.
I don’t claim to know the lived experience and personal pain that guided otherwise reasonable people, the “MAGA lite” to reject equality. In this past week, I’ve heard justifications emerge that seem to have the common theme that equality protections only benefit “others” or “it’s just about work stuff.”
At this moment, we are talking about workplace policies but it is short-sighted to think equality only applies to others or workplace behavior doesn’t affect societal behavior. Still, this is where we are and it’s important to know what is going on and resist these misguided ideas from invading us.
Resisting things we know are wrong must come in many different forms. One way we can resist an anti-equality attitude is to put more Bursting Through stories into the world. It’s within our control to push out our powerful personal stories and remind others of the more caring and connected society we all deserve.
This is where you come in and our opposition begins. We will use this platform to share new stories of Allyship, interconnectivity, compassion, empathy, and expanded love but I need new storytellers.
I know you have a Bursting Through story to tell and the world needs to hear. Bursting Through was created to tell stories of Allyship through the Queer/Straight relationship but it quickly taught me that Active Allyship is not limited to the LGBTQ+ Community.
I’ve had people in other misunderstood and underrepresented groups such as the disabled and sober communities as well as people of color talk to me about their Active Allyship experiences and needs. Those stories have a home in Bursting Through too.
Do you have a story of Active Allyship you want to tell? Is so, email steve@burstingthrough.gay to get things in motion. Don’t worry or limit yourself if you’re not confident in your storytelling abilities. One of my superpowers is helping you find and tell your story. I just need you to speak from your heart.
I can’t wait to hear, tell, and share your story!
Thank you for being a Bursting Through member and an Active Ally. To keep Bursting Through moving forward and add more like minded people to our community:
Buy me a caffeinated beverage, in the form of a monthly membership, to keep me energized while I work and be able to write more stories.
Make a one time financial contribution to help me produce more stories.
Suggest a Bursting Through Workshop at your office, cultural event, or community organization.
Share this with your network.
