Why We Write/Fight

i had someone recently tell me that they would not want to write or publish anything about the arab spring until they were sure they were making a unique and interesting contribution.  

that is such self-centered bullshit.  we do not write because we want to show how ‘unique’ we are, want to show how ‘different’ we are than everyone else.  

we write to reveal the truths.  to understand where we are in the world.  to support those whose work we believe in.  to question oppressive assumptions in ours and others work.  we write to support others telling their stories, their truths, their lives.  we write as a means for survival, personal and community.  we write to contribute and build ideas with others so that this earth may survive us.  we write to support creating the space in which we and others can be empowered.  we write our confessions and our shame so that others may not be silenced by their own shame.  we write to create the space in which others can discover their own freedom.  

we do not write simply to show how ‘different’ we are from others, we write to show how incredibly human we all are, with all of our beautiful and heartrending differences. we write as an act of radical love.

- guerrilla mama medicine