Two years ago today, I launched RelandoThompkins.com and Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian. For those of you who have been with me from the very beginning, you know that the blog looks and feels very differently now than it did just two short years ago.
Although the blog’s look might be different, my commitment to using this space in hopes of sparking conversations and actions toward individual and collective social change remains the same. Thanks for reading.
Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian: Year 2 Complete
As I enter into year 3, I’d like to share a few thoughts that I think are important to consider, particularly for others who may wish to share their thoughts online to inspire social change.
Real change starts with you.
“Don’t you see? “Change the world one person at a time” means changing YOU first!”—Dr. Michael A. Wright
Focusing solely on what others are doing without undergoing some personal examination of how you might be contributing in other ways can create gaps in awareness and undermine your efforts. We all have a role to play in the problems that exist, and we can also play a role in crafting solutions to those problems.
No one can tell it quite like you.
Do you have something to say? Are there issues that you feel passionate about that you’d like to engage with others around? Just write. Start writing and sharing. Sometimes when talking with others about writing I encounter ideas like “it’s already been said”, or “it’s impossible to come up with something interesting and fresh”.
I encourage you to say it anyway because no one can tell it the way you can. Although you and I could be in the same room, at the same time, going through the same process, each of us could be experiencing the same things in different ways. Your perspective is important and could possibly give a voice to others who may not have been able to find the words themselves before coming across your work.
Not everyone will agree with what you might have to say.
“My intent is to tell the truth as I know it, realizing that what is true for me may be blasphemy for others.”—Gerry Spence
It’s important to understand that your truth and lived experiences may be different from someone else’s, and for a variety of reasons, you may encounter some resistance or backlash. Sometimes your thoughts might contradict longheld dominant and oppressive narratives, or sometimes your sharing may reinforce those narratives, and you may be reminded to examine some unearned privilege you might be displaying.
We’re all teachers and learners, and can grow from sharing about ourselves and by listening to and learning from others. There’s room at the table for all of us, and the difficult work lies in being intentional about creating the space.
It’s also important to understand that sometimes, disagreements can be a good thing, and can give you a level of understanding that you may not have acquired if you’d never taken the opportunity to embrace the conflict and reexamine some of your beliefs.
Know why you’re planning to write, who you’re planning to write for, and in what way you’re planning to use yourself.
Although there are many ways to achieve your goal, it’s always important to have a purpose in mind. Who do you want to receive your message? Will you write anonymously or use your real name? I don’t write anonymously, and was really affirmed by this quote.
“I don’t move through the community in drab camouflage, and I made no vow to live an unidentifiable life… and have never, at any point in my career, aspired to be a “blank slate.” I don’t think it’s even possible.”—Martha Crawford, Writer of What a Shrink Thinks, from her post: Keeping Secrets
To be clear, this is in no way to disparage those who do write anonymously, as each choice has its pros and cons and folks choose to practice one way or another for a variety of reasons. I don’t know who said it first, but there’s a sentiment out there which says that freedom of speech does not mean freedom from the consequences (good or bad) of that speech. So think about this carefully and decide what’s best for you.
Never underestimate your reach. Anything can happen.
I’ve written things before, and kept them to myself. But since I’ve started sharing my writing through Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian I’ve been:
- able to connect with a community of people from all over who have similar interests.
- able to develop a modest steady readership.
- published in a book.
- interviewed and invited to publish my writing on other social justice oriented websites.
- invited to join the Board of Directors for Stop Street Harassment
- contacted for a job interview.
- offered a job.
- able to highlight the work of some wonderful individuals through The People Who Inspire Series, and more.
I’ve said these things only to encourage you to share your own thoughts and experiences with others. Nothing comes from nothing. You never know what might happen until you try.
So, are there things that you’d like to highlight?
Do you have a story to tell?
Well if you do, just write it because what you have to offer might be just right for someone else.
Thank you tremendously.
From Aspiring Humanitarian, Relando Thompkins, MSW
—————————————————————————————————————————
(N.A.H.) is advertisement-free and reader supported. If you enjoy my notes, consider supporting (N.A.H.) with a one-time donation or by becoming a monthly patron.
—————————————————————————————————————————
Discover more from Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I resumed writing my blog a little over a year ago. It’s been an interesting way to chronicle what’s happened with me, my MS, and my family. As my wife and I continue to foster medically fragile kids and raise the two we’ve adopted, I’ve learned more than I thought possible about subjects ranging from race perceptions at and about different ages to how kids deal with medical issues which would terrify me. I’ve gained strength and understanding from the perspective forcing myself to write about the week gives me. I hated writing in high-school, and now it’s an exercise I to which look forward.
What I never expected was so many people taking the time to read what I write each week. The challenge is to keep the blog about and for my family. I don’t hide my name, but I refer to everyone else in the blog by only an initial. Their privacy is important and it’s for that reason alone I don’t make it incredibly easy to get my name on many sites (never really hiding it, but why make it too easy?). That and my posts are mine alone, not my job’s or employer’s.
I think it’s really interesting how, sometimes we might start something for the purpose of helping ourselves, but then find out that our sharing is also helpful to others too. I particularly appreciated the post you wrote called “Dare to be Wrong”.
You’re right Geof. See, your example of wanting to ensure your family’s privacy is a great reminder that people choose to write in certain ways for their own, very valid reasons.
As always, thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts!
Happy 2 Year Blog Anniversary! I really appreciate this post. It’s very true when you say, “No one can tell it quite like you.” At times I’ve tried to talk myself out of blogging about something because I think that I wouldn’t be as eloquent, or someone else may have a better analysis, etc. But we all have certain nuances that can bring a fresh perspective. Thanks again for writing this, Relando.
Thank you so much Nicole! That means a lot coming from you. You’re absolutely right, we all have certain nuances that can bring a fresh perspective. It may not get said if we don’t say it, and even if it is said, it won’t be exactly the way we might say it you know?
Thanks again for stopping by, I love reading your work!
Happy Bloggerversary! You do incredibly awesome work and I am grateful for your voice. I am proud to call you my colleague and friend. I will raise a glass to your success and for many more years to come :)
– Ignacio
Thank you Ignacio! I’m also wishing for your continued success with your writing and work, and look forward to learning more from you through Social Work Tech! May we both grow better and better with time my friend.
Happy Way Belated Anniversary. lol I am currently reading a great book by Elizabeth Gilbert titled Big Magic that has the same message – to write no matter what because yes, the topic may have been discussed before but no one has wrote it from your perspective so if you desire to write – write! Thanks for spreading the awareness around. Good to see.
And thank you Tunisia! Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian is a work of love and I appreciate any and all support that people are willing to show. No time is too late. The book you mentioned sounds very interesting and I plan on looking it up myself. While this post was for my two year blogging anniversary, I am actually approaching the completion of my 5th year at the time of this comment. I write a commemorative post on my blog’s birthday each year in my Yearly Address category, and encourage you to check out my last address: “Getting In Our Own Way: 2 Barriers We Contribute To That Limit Social Change“.
I’ll check it out! And Happy 5th Annuversary!