Activist self-care

It sounds passive-aggressive

but I truly mean it.

If you’re not ready

to hear

the alternate perspective —

I move on.

There are two reasons.

One,

I find it counterproductive

to offer new information

when the manner in which

the information is being received

will cement the alternate view.

Two,

you cannot change

people who are unwilling

to participate.

You can only create a space

in which

someone can be invited

to learn more,

when they are ready.

I move on for my own mental health,

to focus my energy on others

who are willing to listen,

who will support and amplify

the cause,

creating a bigger, more diverse space

for others to step into.

I move on because what I’ve done is plant a seed,

to which someone can return to,

to nurture, to grow, to learn.

***

Originally published here.

***

Lucy (@ramyeonjpg) is a budding poet who jots down all the wildest pieces of her life into poetry form. By day, she's a graduate student. By night, she crochets an unreasonable number of scrunchies to de-stress. As someone who never runs out of ideas, she aids other writers who run into writer's block with weekly poetry (or writing!) prompts. Feel free to join in here!