To Those Advocating Governmental Mandates:
We’ve met, but you may not recognize me. You may have referred to me as a “conspiracy theorist”, “racist”, “sexist”, “bigot”, “anti-masker” or “anti-vaxxer” over the years, but in fact I am none of the above, and much more to you than you realize. I may be your friend, family member, colleague, partner, acquaintance and neighbor.
You’re wearing a mask so I can’t see the scorn set on your lips, or even your smile (if it’s there). Your eyes are visible, but in them I see only compliance, judgement, fear, shame and perhaps defeat.
I don’t judge you, as I know you are a victim. You have been efficiently conditioned, the result of which has left you stripped bare of self-confidence, dignity, power and compassion.
Your only strength is to attack those unwilling to join you in obedience. It’s okay - I don’t feel mad – I understand the attacks are misguided so I will gladly continue to be the target. I will allow you to direct your fear and anger at me and I will accept it, because the battle I am fighting is for you as well as me. It’s for your children and grandchildren, as well as mine.
You and I both had a choice to make, and I decided to fight for freedom. You submitted and some even attempted to shame, intimidate and coerce me into the same, becoming outraged at my independence and my belief in “my body, my choice”.
You disagreed with my striving for a fair and just society, free from fraud and deception. You accused me of harming others and called me dangerous or a part of a mob. You call me a “fascist” for arguing against government overreach. Do you see the irony in this?
While you continue to angrily comply, to follow those who have continuously lied to you,
I will continue to push back. I will continue to value my sovereignty and autonomy and I will use my internal strength and fortitude until you can more clearly see that the fight is not between you and me.
One day you will see how much your compliance almost cost us, and hopefully you will see that I was never your enemy. I look forward to this day, and I will celebrate it with you.
There will be no ‘I told you so’ or ‘You should have known’. I will greet you with open arms and an open heart as we wrap our heads around the assault that was done to us and the division it caused. We will unite and rebuild our relationships in truth, love and justice.
Until then, as you brace for the next round of governmental mandates or media storylines that attempt to divide us (by race, nationality, class, gender, religion, political party, country, sexual orientation…), please know that love, justice and truth win in the end.
Amy Nelson
