LIITTOLAISUUDESTA - OSA 3
586 päivää sitten

A letter
Written and read by Kemê Pellicer as a part of #StopHatredNow 2019
Hi, you there, yes, you, Don’t feel embarrassed, I just want to thank you.
For the time you said: hold the horses! And asked for my opinion
For the time you asked for my permission
Or when you gave me recognition
For those days when you felt tired and still continued to stand next to me
For your continuous interest in educating yourself, reading, making research, listening and opening up.
For when you said “sorry” or “I don’t understand”.
For the infinite patience and discussions for the sake of continuing our dialogue
For not making assumptions about my gender, sexual orientation, mobility, customs, language, class, race, body, culture, heritage, religion, background or life situation.
For not patronising me or taking over
For getting out of your comfort zone
For your criticism and self-criticism
For making me a priority
For making “us” a priority
For every time you called out a bad practice
Or when you spoke out instead of looking the other way
For taking more time in breaking boxes rather than ticking them
For giving me space when I needed it
For your honesty and transparency
For knowing that we can not walk in each other´s shoes
For being a person of action and not just words
For seeing people, not only statistics
For not shielding yourself when you felt exposed or discomforted
For not pushing me into situations that would make me vulnerable
For your silent work
For not being afraid of trying
Thank you. Because I have done the same and only in you, I found an ally.
Kemê Pellicer is a visual artist, poet and cultural agent.
This text is part of a series of texts under the title ON ALLYSHIP which is curated by Sonya Lindfors.