As the year progresses, it becomes more and more clear where the United States government is heading. In the past, there has been a dramatic imbalance between the rights of minorities and the rights of the white, heterosexual, cisgendered, rich, Christian, able-bodied men. Now that we are in the year 2017, we can clearly see this imbalanced treatment changing.
It is getting much, much more uneven.
The voices of minorities are being ignored, or even actively silenced. While social media gives those who wish to speak a relatively-uncensored platform to do so, their message does not always reach the audience it warrants.
In addition to the voices of known minorities not being given the volume they deserve, I find that many individuals of a wide variety of identities, particularly within the LGBTQA+ community, do not have a voice at all. A few commonplace identities are known well-enough, but the community encompasses a massive spectrum that is not known by many not within it themselves. From this ignorance comes a lack of understanding and, from that, derision and mistreatment.
I believe that, as human beings, we are entitled to a certain level of respect and love, yet this treatment is denied to many who are not understood, acknowledged, heard, or accepted. I believe that, by giving those who are misunderstood or mistreated the proper stage-time to speak up, society can begin to move towards a point where each member is accepted better as an individual and as a part of their respective demographics.
This is my reason for starting this project.
Thanks to the strange ways of the Internet, I have been given a much louder voice than I could ever have expected and a much larger audience that is willing to listen. My network has given me a blog here, with the potential of having my works promoted on main pages of the Huffington Post, and I intend to make the most of this opportunity.
I am already working on a similar project on my YouTube channel where I have gathered a team of LGBTQA+ individuals from across the spectrum to discuss education, politics, and news regarding LGBTQA+ matters, and I see this as an expansion of that concept. I want to hear from anyone and everyone who is underrepresented in our society and talk about matters that are important to them and who they are.
Each week I will be publishing a new piece on what I consider an important topic. This can range anywhere from politics to race to identity to any number of things. Of course, it would be ridiculous to try to speak on behalf of those of different identities than myself, especially as a white, cisgendered male. Instead, I will be interviewing those of these identities to learn more about them and give them a voice.
I hope to promote education and acceptance of those in need of it. I will strive to do my best in this, but if ever you feel that I am overstepping my bounds, misspeaking, or am generally wrong, I gladly welcome critique to help me do a better job, and I will accept any and all feedback with an open mind.
If you are a part of a minority, I want to hear from you. If who you are is underrepresented or misunderstood, or you are generally treated less than you deserve for who you are, I want to make your voice heard. Please email me so we can talk: tomjgrennell@gmail.com.