You do not speak for me

I wrote this over a year ago in response to some things I observed in the pole community. Though it was inspired by the pole community it is written in such a way that hopefully even people not in the pole community can relate. 

Not only do I hope the overall message that 'people can think for themselves' is received but I hope this can get people thinking that maybe just because someone can be classified as similar to someone much more known, "famous" if you will, does not mean that individual person you are seeing shares the same views as that other well known person. 

While I am most certainly not speaking to one individual, I am speaking to anyone in the public eye that believes they represent an entire group of people: you may not have as many backers as you think. Real power is not wielded.

I would never want to silence yours or anyone's voice

but you do not speak for me.

You care not what anyone thinks of you which makes you look strong and powerful, like a leader we should all get behind

but you do not speak for me.

​You are in the spotlight with your brands and your very loud voices

and you do not speak for me.

​By all outer appearances you and I are similar, could be classified as the same

but you do not speak for me.

​We have gone down some of the same roads and experienced some of the same injustices 

but you do not speak for me.

You say things that in theory are on point and valid and being that we play and work in the same arena I should support your POV and cause

yet, you do not speak for me.

​You advocate for people who have done some of the same things I've done and been looked down on the same way I have 

and still you do not speak for me.

​You have a plan and an agenda that if it were to come to fruition may even further my cause and make what I wish to do easier and more accepted

but you do not speak for me.

​You have organized, gathered, clarified, and classified, made rules and formed an exclusive club to further your agenda. I really don't care if you accept me in your club because

you do not speak for me.

​You organize and sponsor an event the winner of which will be crowned the title of "best in the industry" but 

neither you, nor the results of your event speak for me.

​In the name of justice you rail against the institution and society as a whole, then behave in a stereotypical way that re-enforces the judgments against us while claiming to be us

and still you do not speak for me.

You do not speak for me because you speak from hate. Oh, you make good points, you are very eloquent. You are a very good presenter, you are the fool they warn people not to argue with, the one that will win the argument every time because of experience.  You do not speak for me because though your fight seems to be on the side of just and righteous you come from a place of judgment. The very thing you claim to fight against, you are. That's hypocrisy. You claim to love people, but only people who think and speak exactly like you do--only people who's ideology is yours. Everyone else, anyone who dares to think (and whoa to the ones who dare to question your rigid dogma) differently than you is condemned as unworthy of you, your time, and certainly your compassion. That's hate. 

We are all human and trying to make our way in this world the best we can. When people with so much hate are the faces of an entire community it creates in-fighting and destroys progress. The turmoil created by these self serving fools may create temporary publicity but doesn't effect real change.   

"Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." Dr. MLK

​Love is the Answer. ​