Dismantling the patriarchy
Who died and made me bold? When did I become brave? When did I start standing up for myself? Clearly it’s a 2023 thing. This week I decided to something incredibly brave. I was hurt, I stood up for myself then I got trampled on. So I decided that “it’s not done until I am done, and I’m not done” so it’s apparently not done.
Personally I can’t believe how far I’ve come. One thing that terrified me recently to the depths of my soul was that I had lost all my recently acquired self esteem. As it turned out no. My survival instincts are strong and my brain has a way of forcing a jumpstart. I’m back. In fact I never left. And I am the strongest I have ever been in my life. Incredible what some time and space does for you. I felt like I joined a cult. That’s why I never name my organisations when I work in a company. If it’s good bad or indifferent then you no one’s hurt. I adore my old organisation but cults aren’t for me.
So now, I’m all about dismantling the patriarchy. I’m about standing up for myself and others. When I got trampled on I read some of my old blog posts. The one I settled on was “separated from the love of God” it was incredible. It aged well. It aged fantasticly well. As it turns out… I am wise, compassionate and filled with love. This blog was intended with an audience and a fan base of one. And my fans are fanning. And when I use the plural, I mean “me, myself, and I” and I need to hype myself up. It was incredible, heartfelt. I have a project. A business to start and a cause to champion. Time for some more heart soaring moments. I live for that. I love the depth of feeling and the heights of joy I can feel. I have lived an extraordinary life thus far. Unfortunately it’s been heavily focused on the pain and negative side. This my dears, is the beginning of the season of bravery. The season of discovery, the season of joy. I am about to truly understand how incredible life can be. How the human spirit can triumph. To quote Obama
“The audacity of hope”
I however can’t do that whilst accepting systems that oppress me. I must fight the patriarchy at every turn. I must speak out against wrongdoing every. Single. Time. You can’t give anyone “a pass” for anything.
To quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“ injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”
I used to think that it wasn’t for me. I’m black, I’m a woman, I’m introverted, I have struggled with my mental health. I thought all these things invalidated my ability to lead. In fact they call me to share my unique experience. I, lady Anna, have been called by the patriarchy specifically to fight injustice. They pushed me to it. They created the circumstances for their own destruction. I wanted to live in peace. I was content to live. However, now I am now obsessed with raising people up. Doing what makes my spirit soar. The world is cruel and life is long. This isn’t leadership, more like gorilla warfare against the patriarchy. I can’t save everyone, but sure as hell I’m going to empower, equip and arm (with knowledge) everyone I can.
Time to start the fight.
Grace and Courage
Annetta Mother Smith.