"Anyone who is speaking the truth is an outcast."
– Pearl Means
Anyone who speaks truth to power is suspect in the eyes of the powerful.
Anyone who shares their truth with courage and vulnerability opens themselves up to ridicule and scrutiny.
Anyone in a position of power who aligns themselves with people on the downside of power is challenged by the people on the upside of power who won't understand the misalignment.
Anyone from a majoritized group who attempts to advocate for people from a minoritzed group risks getting it wrong, making mistakes, being seen as a performative.
Anyone who has the conviction to speak up for what they believe in, who centers empathy and compassion and humanity, is going to be seen by some as weak or angry or woo-woo or strident or politicized or uncompromising and all kinds of untrue labels.
Anyone from a privileged group who is worth two shits knows that none of those reasons to not speak the truth are worth two shits.
Anyone from a privileged group who is more concerned with being seen as an outcast than speaking the truth should reflect on why they want to be liked so much.
Anyone from a privileged group who is concerned about being and outcast should think about what it means to not be from a privileged group and be regularly outcast.