This is a companion piece to my post “Marianne Williamson, Democracy and the Stories We Tell – And Why It Should Matter to You.”
That post was meant to be an exploration of the ways in which what we see playing out on the “national stage” echoes in so many ways what is happening in our personal lives as we seek to become – not only the best version of our country that we could be - but the best versions of ourselves that we were born to be.
The post was not meant to be an endorsement – or non-endorsement - of Marianne Williamson for President. But it certainly was an endorsement of her right, as an American citizen, to run for office and receive due consideration.
It looked at the obstacles we face, nationally and personally, from those who fear change, or resist change – and an exploration of the behaviors that play out when you initiate a disruption in the existing power dynamic; when you “step out of the role assigned to you” - and the “stories” that are then created to insure – the “new idea” or “the new you” remains not only unheard – but denigrated, dismissed, and silenced.
And the shifting nature of the severity of that reaction depending on who exactly the “you” is who is seeking the change.
What are the stories being told that either welcome us into being all we might be - and giving all we might give – or - seek to keep us contained and small and on the sidelines of our own lives? As I always say – when you are confronted with stories that seek to diminish you – you owe it to yourself to ask “who is telling that story – and why would they tell it?”
What was interesting is that in response to my post, I saw exactly what I laid out in the original piece. A doubling down on a narrative that is meant to misdirect and deflect from Marianne Williamson’s policies and vision (whether you agree with them or not) – and seeks to make us complicit by repeating stories meant to diminish her work and accomplishments.
Particularly her work during the AIDS crisis.
As a gay man who was in New York at that time, I had a visceral reaction to that particular narrative.
This video is my response.
It is my “witnessing” – as a deeply closeted young man fearful of “being gay” and all that entailed at the time – and “being gay in the time of AIDS.” Petrified of both the disease itself – and belonging to the group visited by such an atrocity.
It is my witnessing of seeing the very best and the very worst in humanity. I am not a hero in this piece – I was too overwhelmed and afraid to be that. I am simply a witness to the devastating pain of many - and the heroics of many more in our community – all the members of ACT UP, and Larry Kramer, and GMHC – and – Marianne Williamson - and anyone who offered a loud voice, a raised fist or a compassionate heart.
This is my experience of this particular woman and her work – at this particular time in history.
It is not meant to negate or dispute or deny anyone else’s direct experience. If you have a story to tell – you should absolutely tell it.
I offer mine here – not only as a course correction for myself in the face of a narrative I do not recognize – but – as another example of what happens when the power systems in our lives – nationally and personally – are disrupted and threatened.
Grab the pen.
Claim your narrative.
Speak. Listen. Grow.
Joe Bolduc
Speak To Understand
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