A nineteen year old girl stands perplexed as the room full of cousins burst into laughter. Everyone is laughing, except her. She does not know what they all are laughing at. Excitedly she asks her cousin sister, “What happened? What happened?” The perplexed look on her face only results in them laughing harder. Finally one of them blurts out, “Pijjaa ! Hahahha say it once again! Pijjaa !” Everyone bursts into another round of laughter, high-fiving each other and some even rolling down the floor holding their stomachs. She looks around in confusion. Until one of her cousin's mother enters the room to check on the commotion. “Mummy, she called Pizza ‘Pijjaa' !” She says pointing towards her, seeking approval. There is an inherent sense of superiority in the way she looks at her, expecting her mother to join her. The mother hushes her off, “shhhh, it's bad manners to make fun of anybody.” Unlike her, all her cousins studied in English medium school. She did not know THAT the Difference between Pizza and Pijjaa was not merely of pronunciation, but Much More Than That. That, in a world of Pizza, ‘Pijjaa' was unforgivable, Pijjaa brought shame. The two come from two totally different planets, and their worlds never intersect. That this world applauds Pizza & shuns Pijjaa. That in the World of Pizza, Pijjaa did not Belong. That in this World Pizza had the Power to decide how ‘Pijjaa' would be treated. She earned a new name that day, the official “Behenji” of the group. She hated it from her core, she wanted to feel belonged too. But somehow, her skills, ability, talent and intelligence all got eclipsed behind the cardinal mistake. She had to pay the cost of not knowing the difference between ‘z' and ‘j'. Several years later when she gives birth, she decides her daughter is not going to face the same humiliation that she had faced. That she will send her to an English medium School. That she grows up Belonging. So then, did her daughter really grow up with a sense of Belonging ?

Feminism- A term which is widely misunderstood. Some people believe that feminism is synonymous with the upliftment of women. In actual it is the belief which is related to equality where everyone is having the same rights and opportunities irrespective of their genders. Feminism is not something where you focus on females only. Males should not be neglected either. In actual they are the ones who need to be 'empowered' and taken care of more. When you are sending your daughter to school, to self defence classes, music classes, sports events, etc. don't pat yourself on the back just yet. That is you doing your bit to 'normalise' the idea of women in traditionally male spaces. You need to do the reverse as well. Make your son do the dishes, fold the clothes, arrange things and cook a basic meal. This will 'normalise' the idea of men in traditionally female spaces too. This is something which is far more important. You see chauvinistic men in the society? They all are there because of their third class upbringing. Males especially young boys should be given more attention so that they grow up to become better human beings with gender equality in their mind and respect for everyone in their heart.

Lately I struggle to keep my mind quiet. The world is too loud for me to hear my own thoughts. My heart feels full and content, but it doesn't feel good when all I hear is how we live in scary times. How can I have a smile spread across my face when there is so much turmoil racing through the world? I have to hold it together because if I don't who will? Besides I am a wife and a mother who is family driven and I strive to be the best example that I can be for my children, who watch me and learn from my behaviors, reactions, and decisions. The last thing I want to do is affect them negatively. They are my inspiration to be who I am and my motivation to never give up. But I'm tired. Is that okay? I am tired of the constant division in the world and trying to make sense out of it for myself in a way that I can put it into words to help my children when they ask me why a kid said something to them that they shouldn't have. I am tired of adults acting like children and teaching their children morals that aren't necessary based off of their own feelings. I am tired of adults who discourage children instead of encouraging them and building them up. Where is the positivity? Where is the love? And what happened to the easiest verse to live by, "love each other as I have loved you." I am not a perfect parent or wife, but I do believe in the power of love. I am tired of trying to put things into perspective for my children of why some of us can't get along because we don't agree with politics, religion, or whatever else the media throws our way. When our children have an argument, we are quick to separate them and figure out a resolution and an apology, but for some of us adults, we can't seem to do that. There's too much pride and too much dismissal of the other person's opinion and point of view because it doesn't match our own. We are all entitled to our own beliefs and our own opinions, I get that, obviously I am voicing my own. All I am asking for the world to do is to stop pointing fingers and only seeing from one perspective, it doesn't matter what you support or who you support-that does not define who you are as a human being in my mind. We have all been told what we think or believe is wrong at some point, and that is okay. I like to smile at those things, because they threw stones at Jesus too, but he still loved them. We can too, it's as simple as that. Grace is always worth it.

Ignorance. Privilege. The cost of a life. These are the topics I considered as I sat down to write. It's hard to know where to start right now. Ignoring that we are still in the throes of a pandemic minimizes that reality and all who have and continue to suffer. And yet, the pressing issue of racism and the related unrest in the country seems to require immediate attention. There is no question that we are in turbulent waters and sadly, there seems to be no calming in sight. People are angry. People are divided. People are hurt. People are dying. Through it all, our leadership is fanning the flames of divisiveness rather than encouraging unification. A friend has said to me on more than one occasion that ‘an optimist is merely a pessimist who has had his heart broken too many times.' This sentiment might be attributable to someone else, but its meaning is most important. Beyond the obvious implications, this thought conveys the notion that what occurs around us has a profound and lasting affect that can be far greater and longer-lasting than what is surface level. I feel sad about what is occurring in this country. I feel forlorn contemplating systemic and pervasive racism. I feel horrified witnessing some of the current response. I am not caveating or disclaiming when I explain that I am not judging, nor am I condoning. I know that I do not believe violence is the answer. I also know for certain that I have no idea what it is like to be a person of color in a country that is plagued by racism and discrimination. This is simple. The murder, degradation, and injury perpetuated on and against people of color in this country is heart-wrenching and sickening. It's time for it to stop. The destruction and harm caused to property, businesses, and people, is tragic, devastating, and unnecessary. 100,000 lives lost is a staggering figure. The media's desire to mostly publicize the negative to support an agenda is disappointing. The inability of many representatives to put country before party and people before schemes is mind-boggling. The lack of accountability that has infected our society for decades and our inability to break free of certain paradigms, no matter how little they continue to serve us, is confusing. So, what now? What do we do in the middle of a pandemic as we watch our country burn around us? Well, now we start to do the work. This work is challenging because it is fairly intangible. It's difficult because it is different for everyone, so no universal standard exists. It can seem impossible because it requires patience, courage, and determination. The work means being uncomfortable. It means taking responsibility. It means holding each other accountable. It means asking tough questions. It means acknowledging and putting a spotlight on the broken parts but also making room for the goodness. It means standing up for what's right. Every single time. No matter what. The work is not a hashtag. It's not posting on social media. It's not trendy. It doesn't take one day or even one month. The work is a lifelong commitment. The work will connect you to folks you may never have known, but it will also probably lose you some friends. The work is not clean, it's messy. It's emotional. It will break your heart, knock you down, and then help you get up again. Here's the thing. Without some of us doing the work, we are totally lost. If some of us roll up our sleeves, take a deep breath, and dive in, we can find our way to a much brighter future. My father told me this morning that he sees my despair and he knows it well, but wanted to offer the following wisdom: “We've been here before. Our country has been in a place of chaos and pain and darkness. I have witnessed what is seemingly this country being burnt to the ground in the most literal and metaphorical ways. What I have learned is that what has seemed like the end, is never the end. What has seemed like the worst, is never the bottom. What comes from this pain is hope and love. We are in a bad place, but we are also in a unique position to turn it around. But we can't do that without deciding first that all hope is not lost. We must first acknowledge that there is room to grow. So much room. Have faith in the goodness of people. Sometimes it seems like there is more bad than good, but I've lived on this earth for nearly 67 years and I can tell you that just is not the truth.” I can't think of a better message. There's no easy way out of all of this. That's the reality. We each have a responsibility here if we want more. We have to do our part. Buildings will be rebuilt, bodies will heal, hospitals will be reconverted, and graffiti will be washed away. However, we can only truly heal as a country, a society, and as humans, if we decide that that the value of a singular life cannot be assigned a dollar amount, that we are all truly equal under the law and in each other's eyes, and that the work is always worth it. Always.

I've gone from trying to figure out what feminism is really about to understanding the term and agreeing with it from afar. I no sooner learned that it was impossible for me to agree with but not identify with the term. As a result of all the bad energy surrounding the term and fear of not being misunderstood by people, I thought that identifying with it within myself was enough. I said to myself ‘I know I am a feminist and that is all that matters'. If people asked me I'd say I'm still deciding and sieving through because of the extremists. I got encouraged when I realized that some of my friends were feminists too so I was able to reveal my hidden status as a feminist to them but not to the world in general. The moment of truth for me was sitting in a room with people ‘shading' feminists and spitting out untruths about feminism for me to realize that I was either standing for something or not standing for it at all. I was riled up inside of me and I didn't even realize when I announced that I was actually a feminist and a proud one at that. As expected the usual argument associated around feminism ensued and I remained firm in my belief and stance as a feminist despite the fact that I was the only feminist in the room. It was a very liberating moment for me as I had finally released myself from the self-inflicted bondage. I am an unapologetic feminist. Anyone who cannot murder their ignorance by birthing the urgency to educate themselves about any relevant topic or issue before speaking about it is not even worthy of my association. Before I drop the mic, I want to add that anyone who knows what feminism stands for and still stands firmly against it should just move away from my view. We should all be feminists.

Miss-Understood Bright lights, visible particles of moisture floating in the air, fog, followed by screams, and music. Her concert, expected, wanted, and acclaimed. The "Diva" was the diamond, ready to shine. Applause pursued her entrance, in a mist of colors, races, voices, and smells. Her Heels, pointing fiercely the way, marching like the queen that she was. Her dresses were precious pieces of art, resting on a body full of grace and make up. Her hair changed like the seasons ... sometimes blond, seldom dark, at times long, at intervals short. Moving in a delicate manner, alike a blooming flower, ready to bloom. Inspiring in the ladies, the classy sex appeal, contrasting to the sordid "reggae-ton". The show was full of spells, the charm was her voice. Her dancers were the soldiers that move in her favor. The "Diva" waved her hands, and thanked all who came to support. Minutes later, in her dressing room, a metamorphosis change, taking off the fancy dress, was nothing more than a girl, trapped in the body of a boy. Maria Elisa Lenke Robenolt

It all began along a vibrant street, blossoms everywhere, foliage scattered all around, the brisk frost felt so quiescent, so serene to my soul. How amazing the sky with spiraling cotton clouds, the grass with dew sparkling like diamonds. This divine art of nature tranquilized the mind and body of pedestrians. I was flabbergasted by the nature that I forgot to notice something. Something horrendous indeed. Standing across the street, under the umbrella of sunrays, were four kids with four bags but with “two different stories”. Two kids pale as they seemed, stood in quietude like a phantom, lost in their ocean of thoughts with cries of hopelessness coercing them to drown in abyss. With ceaseless search for hope in their eyes but seemed that destiny stabbed them in the back each time they combated to attain their dream. This never gave them the intrepidity to standup afresh. Their legs quivered, dreams faded and despair engulfed them, compressing them under a state of bewilderment. They knew not whether their future existed, while holding a rugged, patched bag gathering garbage from the surface which enveloped them. While the second story comprised not of rueful souls, bleeding hearts, sorrowful smiles, gloomy eyes and unforgettable tragedies but it accompanied gladsome smiles, blissful lives, faithful hearts and buoyant eyes. The two kids in this tale possessed school bags and books, wore uniform and steadily directed their way towards their school with ambition to strive and chase their aims and dreams. I wish to see the spark of hope in their eyes, in the eyes of the hopeless and grieved ones. I wish to replace garbage bags with school bags, trash with books and brooms with pencils. I wish to see grinning souls and auspicious smiles, instead of lachrymose eyes under the shadows of terror and agony. I wish to glorify each melancholic soul with a resolute vision to thrive and carve their destiny. And I wish them to love life and cherish it like the staunch, enthusiastic children. This example doesn't only represent those four kids but makes us realize how millions of innocent and naive souls kill their dreams, bury their futurity and abolish their destiny due to the lack of opportunities and chances bestowed upon them. This is what I hope to achieve in my lifetime; to make this a “single story” of hope, struggle and passion for fulfilling their dreams. To win the spark of aspiration and contentment in their eyes, and make them flourish their fate and predetermination. I hope to make them construct a promising future, a prosperous life, a determined generation and an ambitious world! I dream to put together the dispersed puzzle fragments into one intact piece of warm fuzziness and beatitude. And dream to make it a “ONE SIMILAR STORY” for each and every juvenile on this planet by healing their sundered futures with the only key to close this door of inequality and poverty, ‘education'.

e·qual·i·ty /əˈkwälədē/ Noun The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. Equality. Equality is the balance of two beings no matter race, gender, sexuality, or beliefs. Equality contributes to and displays the genuine treatment everyone deserves no matter the status. The simple word means everything in relationships, relationships as simple as stranger and stranger. However, equality is beginning to grow into just a word, when in reality, the community's respect and future depends on equality. Inequality is affecting future generations and today's individuals. Separation, judging, and disadvantages, three main types of inequality. What are these examples of inequality and how are they majorly affecting our societies? Separation is an example of inequality that is majorly affecting individuals everyday. Separation could be secluding someone for whatever reason society finds a reason to. Separation includes excluding an individual or group or viewing your race, religion, sexuality, or gender as higher than another. People seclude others with differentiating lifestyles, feeling as if there is a barrier if they do not also practice the same. Examples of separation is often influenced on children; therefore teaching the future members of society that inequality is acceptable. Separation is a form of inequality affecting many as people will find reasoning in any differences to seclude or ‘seperate'. Judging is also a key example of inequality that individuals suffer from every day. Judging is almost targeted towards anyone or anything that could make them/it specifically different, such as gender or race. Judging comes in many forms and unfortunately is targeted SPECIFICALLY to those differentiating in any aspect. One could be looking at someone, even a stranger, and having the immediate thought to comment on their race or appearance in the thought that they're automatically the inferior or the ‘lesser person'. Judging may seem harmless due to its common nature, however it is unjust and directed solely to those who may be different. Disadvantages, lastly, is a result of inequality that widespreadly appears everyday at schools, offices, etc. Due to inequality, one of a particular race or gender can't experience or participate in certain activities. Society accepts this practice everyday in offices, homes, and schools, illustrating how fluent inequality is becoming. Disadvantages could include not receiving bonuses or attention. It also includes not receiving the same levels of respect, only because an individual differs in status. Inequality creates disadvantages for many everyday solely for the fact they're different. As inequality becomes increasingly more common, society must ask what we can do to overcome separation, judging, and disadvantages. Together, society should see everyone on the same level with equal opportunities and respect. Overcoming inequality will strengthen relationships as simple as stranger and stranger and help the world grow as one, equally.