Perhaps it is a tired adage that we should walk a mile in another's shoes before judging. One does her best to practice the Golden Rule and to see it from both sides, but sometimes it leaves her with few allies.

One side accuses her of lacking intelligence and the other empathy. Everyone is disappointed. And like with Cinderella's ugly stepsister, no shoe fits, and they are all made of rough glass.

I have been fighting hard these last few years. The dominant narrative labelled me many horrendous things. Things in real life I have always resisted against. I was shamed, belittled, ostracized and still I know many have had it far worse. I know I am far from having it the worse. I was lucky. I stood strong and was in a position to do so; with a stance that has as since proven to have been the correct one.

There was no other way. When you see tyranny take over in slow motion; what else can you do but join the resistance. How do you stay silent in the face atrocities? I know many did stay silent, for many different reasons, some more valid than others, but I just wasn't capable of it. I do wish I could have been more gentle though.

I know most people were tricked, coerced, and manipulated, in the most horrendous way. I have the most sympathy for this group, and yet as I work at getting them to wake up, to reduce harm, I find myself communicating most stridently with these same people. I don't like that.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I am wishing for myself a more gentle way. I love you.