“We must uplift one another, not push each other down. We must allow people the opportunity to share who they are with the world.”
accepting the real you. They’re just accepting the facade you’ve created. When you embrace and present your true self, the acceptance you receive is genuine and fulfilling – because “the opposite of belonging is fitting in”. Society's acceptance and expectations will change, but your self-acceptance is what truly lasts. Be proud of who you are. Like most of you, I was paralysed by the thought of what others thought of me. However, I have discovered that no one cares, and if they do care, they are probably even more insecure than you are. Also question yourself: Why do I care what others think? Constantly asking myself this question has liberated me from trying to fit in. It’s our differences that make us beautiful. It’s our ability to think differently, to act differently, to love differently, to present differently. That is our superpower. You will never be the best at being ‘normal’, but you can be the best at being you. When we work together as a team of unique and diverse individuals, we are powerful. So, it’s time we remove those barriers that prevent people from being themselves. We must uplift one another, not push each other down. We must allow people the opportunity to share who they are
with the world. No child should ever come to school feeling as though they must hide their true self to stay safe. So, I ask you all to stand up against discrimination in our school community. Call others out when they are being a dick. If you hear racism, call it out. If you hear homophobia, call it out. If you hear sexism, call it out. If you hear ableism, call it out. If you hear any form of discrimination, call it out.
As a collective, we can strive for a school of students where every single person feels comfortable expressing their identity. Putting on the black and white stripes should not be an act of conformity or hiding yourself but rather a symbol of the strength of our shared identity that comes because of each individual’s diversity at this school. We all benefit from diversity. Whether it’s being able to experience other cultures or learn from other people’s unique experiences and beliefs. So, we must start each new year of Matariki with a desire to not only accept ourselves, but also accept everyone around us for who they are. Among the key values of Matariki are aroha, kotahitanga, and tuakiritanga – love, unity, and identity. Let’s use this as guidance for the year ahead, and we will all be a little better off. Together, we can embrace both our similarities and differences to foster a better community. So, I encourage you to begin that process of self- acceptance. Learn to love yourself for who you are, because when you do, you will be unstoppable. Kei roto kaha i te kanorau. Kei roto mana i te kotahitanga. Strength in diversity. Power in unity.
We must all work together to denounce such behaviour because we will never truly
understand the impact that those words may have on someone. You, in standing up for them, may be the thing that saves them. When people attack your identity and self-worth, it feels like the world hates you. So be that person who stands up for them. Be that shining light that gives them a sense of hope that things will get better. When you hear someone saying hateful things, call them out . It is not acceptable to stay quiet and be complicit. To the victim of ‘banter’, or a weird joke, or bullying, your silence is complicity. Be brave. Use your voice. As Reverend Eston Williams said: “I’d rather be excluded for who I include than included for who I exclude.”
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MOTIVATION
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