Stance

Stand for something else you'll fall for everything.


In the wake of people standing up for what they feel matters, from protests against police brutality to the mother land's disgruntled youths, I dared to evaluate what I really believe in.

Can I fully knowing the consequences of what I stand for purposefully lead myself to the slaughter; accepting torture, beating, imprisonment and yes, even the cost of my life for the good of it?

I, at this point in my life, can't say I've been faced with having to back my beliefs on the spot.
But knowing myself, I probably would play the 'I'm here but if it gets hard I'll be in this corner' game.

I'm grateful for the still in that we are finally being made to see our different situations raw.

"Putting something on twitter is not a movement. You can inform people through Twitter. It is very useful for that. But you have to be present in the moment.
You have to do something yourself. You have to be there. You have to put your body on the line. You have to be willing to go to jail. You have to be willing to say, "here I stand and you will go no further, because I have mortal security in what I'm doing."

Historian, Dr Mary Frances Berry on taking activism beyond the timeline.


I came across this on my scrolls on YouTube and It got me thinking in line with every great movement that has been whether you agree with its aim or not. Change wasn't sparked by people sitting in their rooms. They went out.

I can't name all the 'heroes' if you'd like of some of the well known movements whether we know their names or not, even whether we deem them as heroes or not but through their's and those who followed them's sacrifices there was a great change that is still being spoken of years later.
I also couldn't possibly name all the many of their supporters who put their bodies on the line or gave their lives for the same.
I quoted heroes because even though we firmly stand for something, that doesn't make it true or right but simply you are convinced enough to defend it.
Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela, Harriet Tubman, Kenneth Kaunda, Malcom X, Stephan Donaldson, Ann Atwater, and on and on, stood up for what they felt was right.

We all have our opinions on issues surrounding our immediate environment because in one way or another we are affected. I've heard the brightest of ideas to put an end to some problems being faced but it ends there.
Most times we complain to each other and before we know it we are still in the same ordeals because we are not talking to the right people. Worse yet we don't believe it enough say it on the rooftops.

"Don’t do anything that
you think is wrong. Just do what you think is right, and then be ready to back it
up even with your life. Make sure that everything you say is two-time talk. That
means say it in the closet and be prepared to say it on the city hall steps, and give
anybody twenty minutes to draw a crowd. Don’t do it to make news. Do it to
make it known...."
Vivian Baxter

What you stand for can be totally defaced by the wrong platform's representation for reasons such as their reputation and deeds.

We likewise are living and moving platforms and banners with capitalised letters as we go on about our day to day lives, the platform with the most impact and the largest audience. Mere chatting, working, watching the telly and eating among others can spell out alot about us.
You have a platform whether it's an audience of 10 or just your nearby surrounding. How you carry yourself matters. So much so if you carry the cross.

In asking myself I ask you too;
'What do I stand for?'

Morally,
Am I a different version in the different crowds I'm in?
Trying to impress so I lower my moral standards?

Spiritually,
Am I easily swept by different beliefs and practices?
If I had to defend my faith to the grave would I?

Far greater than the movements we have seen in our time or depicted from history in film and text is a faith of old which was predestined and came to pass when 'it is finished' left the saviour's lips.

In claiming salvation, do you claim the cross that comes with it? Are you convinced beyond all doubt that it is your truth?
Will you stand for it?


Activism in all spheres goes beyond the timeline and mere words. You have to go out.

“He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it."
Matthew 10:39

It’s not an easy road we are travelling to heaven,
For many are the thorns on the way.
It’s not an easy road, but the Savior is with us,
His presence gives us joy every day.

Thank you for your time and getting to the end of this post. If you did enjoy it feel free to comment and share.
Until the next post✌