Declaring
I believe in the power and mystery of naming things.
Language has the capacity to transform our cells,
rearrange our learned patterns of behavior
and redirect our thinking.
I believe in naming what’s right in front of us
because that is often what is most invisible.
I believe one person’s declaration sparks another
and then another.
Naming things, breaking through taboos and denial
is the most dangerous, terrifying and crucial work.
This has to happen
in spite of political climates or coercions,
in spite of careers being won or lost,
in spite of the fear of being criticized, outcast or disliked.
I believe freedom begins with naming things.
Humanity is preserved by it.
Eve Ensler on NPR’s ”These Things I Know”