LIITTOLAISUUDESTA - OSA 3

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.