Reflection: Plant Peace

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     I wanted to take the time to thank all the sports celebrities / personalities for using their voices / platforms for talking about important issues, from gun violence to sexual harassment, we are left to think and reflect. Whilst award ceremonies are to celebrate accomplishments, I thought about some of the issues that were discussed, which have occurred through gun violence and sexual harassment. Whilst we honor those lives lost, injured,  and sacrificed, individuals are now receiving awards because of these tragic incidents. Imagine if tragedies such as school shootings or sexual violence ceased to exist? Award ceremonies could go back to celebrating achievements / accomplishments. The fact that ESPYS platform was used as a portal to convey these issues, shows that there is a need for gun reform, and preventing sexual violence. As I mentioned in one of my earlier writings, at the heart of gun violence is the cry for social justice, and equality. I also stand with the voices who once again raised our awareness about school shootings, which have de-stabalized public education, caused psychological trauma, instilled fear, and a cause for teachers to leave the profession. I have always believed that one can achieve peace, strength, and harmony between the races. It should and can be achieved. Shootings are not different to war. If we want to put an end to wars, and if wars are viewed as barbaric, then so too are school / mass shootings. If we want social progress, innovation, and harmony, we have to raise the bar as to how societal justice, equality, and harmony can be achieved. Attacking the very precious future leaders, creators, and contributors of a nation is not the answer. 

     With regards to the women who took a stand to confront Larry Nasser. You are all a testimony of courage. You have also revealed that the wounds from any abuse never really diminish. So much work and effort has to take place to re-build lives, but triggers can derail and act as disruptors. A key to moving forward is also to find a way of how to manage the self when triggers take place. While many might remain skeptical about the issue of sexual violence, we have to think that this was not an isolated incident, it was a response to the claims of many women. It does take guts and courage to speak out about something so sensitive, especially when your dream, life efforts depend upon what you are speaking out about. 

     With that said we have to remember that sexuality is a part of being human. Sex is also a part of being human. Repression of sex / sexuality can also be harmful. Repercussions manifest themselves through impacting health and thought life, which also encompasses the idea of learning to manage this part of being human. If we want to see change, I think that at the heart of the matter is consent. How can we teach healthy consent, and how can these women use their voices to put an end to sexual violence, but at the same time continue to promote healthy sexual relations? Learning how to manage intimate relations is also something that we as human beings have to learn how to do, but the fact that it is a sensitive topic (even a taboo in some cultures), also makes us think about how silence, and not talking about healthy sexual relations impacts predatory behaviour. 

     With regards to the culprit himself, he must learn from what he did. Maybe isolation is the right answer, but I am a believer in human reform. Where if anyone truly believes in changing the self for betterment, they should also be given this opportunity. This might mean serving time for the accusation for the purposes of public justice, but also with the inclusion of human reform. We are not God, God is the ultimate decider, and God is a forgiver. Ultimately the male population is as significant as any other gender. Maybe promoting healthy relations sexual / non-sexual should also include male voices. When all is said and done, the vibrant society is that which includes all genders. We have to weary that Larry Nasser's example is not used to define sex, healthy sexual relations, and also a mechanism to bash men themselves. 

Further Reading:
*ABC13 - ESPYs honor Larry Nassar survivors, coaches killed in Parkland shooting
*The Washington Post - Larry Nassar, former USA Gymnastics doctor, sentenced to 40-175 years for sex crimes

Congratulations to all the award winners!!! :)
My thoughts to share with live & Kindness! 

These thoughts were originally hand-written on July 19th, 2018.
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