"We cannot let those people who do not love us determine who we are."
– Nikki Giovanni
You don't determine who I am. I determine who I am.
You don't define me. I define me.
You might think that you can disrupt my flow, lure me into incivility, make me engage in performative outrage.
But you can't and you won't.
You don't determine how I interact. I determine how I interact.
You might think I will respond to attacks on my character, invest my time in petty online arguments, spend energy trying to prove to you my worth and value.
But you're wrong.
You don't determine how I live and act in my integrity. I determine how I live and act in my integrity.
You might think that I care what you think about me, that I give equal weight to your perspectives, that I will respond to your divisive tactics.
But you're wrong.
You don't determine my self-worth. I determine my self-worth.
You might think your fear will influence with me, your lies will inform my decision making, your disrespect will change my opinions.
But you're wrong.
You don't determine my truth. I determine my truth.
You might think my principles have no foundation, my values don't guide me, that my conviction is shakeable.
But you're wrong.
You don't determine who I am. You don't define me.
I determine who I am. I define me.