In order
to fully explain stigma I think the words below may reflect a deeper
understanding than I could draft. Leslie has been an ally to my work for quite
some time and we met online through social media. I hope you enjoy her
characterization of stigma.
May 18 at
3:04pm Report
Hi Paul.
This morning you mentioned that you will be talking to students soon, in Grade
12, I believe you said. And might I wish to send a message along?
"My name is Leslie Kassal, and I live in Baltimore, Maryland, in the US. I had the good fortune of meeting your Guest Speaker over the Internet, and now, through him, if I may, I would like to send you all a greeting, and a few thoughts. What I have found important in life is to Find Your Voice. Many times, we all know this, we are judged by how our bodies look, by our ethnicity, our color, the way we dress, who our parents are, etc......What I want you to know is that you are ALL good people, and you ALL have a right to be here, and a purpose for being here. I hope that the teachers around you, the adults all around you are affirming and supportive. Everyone needs this, and what is wonderful is that when you are affirmed and when you are supported, you feel so good, that you want to pass it along to everyone else you meet. If there are people who are mean to you, or who wish to tear you down, or denigrate you, you must talk about it. If someone is bullying you, tell someone. If you are not feeling good about something in your life, talk about it to people you trust. I am now 60 years young, :) and my beginning years, my childhood, was clouded by depression and by a sense that I was no good - that I did not matter. I have had many years of help to overcome that despair that covered me. But, you know what? I have learned the JOY of being who I am! I AM WHO I AM! And that is so good a feeling. I need you to know how LIFE-GIVING that is. BE WHO YOU ARE. CHERISH WHO YOU ARE. I can't think of a better gift to those around you, to the world, to your families and your friends, than to be YOU.
Onward! And,
G-d Bless You.
Your Friend,
Leslie
"My name is Leslie Kassal, and I live in Baltimore, Maryland, in the US. I had the good fortune of meeting your Guest Speaker over the Internet, and now, through him, if I may, I would like to send you all a greeting, and a few thoughts. What I have found important in life is to Find Your Voice. Many times, we all know this, we are judged by how our bodies look, by our ethnicity, our color, the way we dress, who our parents are, etc......What I want you to know is that you are ALL good people, and you ALL have a right to be here, and a purpose for being here. I hope that the teachers around you, the adults all around you are affirming and supportive. Everyone needs this, and what is wonderful is that when you are affirmed and when you are supported, you feel so good, that you want to pass it along to everyone else you meet. If there are people who are mean to you, or who wish to tear you down, or denigrate you, you must talk about it. If someone is bullying you, tell someone. If you are not feeling good about something in your life, talk about it to people you trust. I am now 60 years young, :) and my beginning years, my childhood, was clouded by depression and by a sense that I was no good - that I did not matter. I have had many years of help to overcome that despair that covered me. But, you know what? I have learned the JOY of being who I am! I AM WHO I AM! And that is so good a feeling. I need you to know how LIFE-GIVING that is. BE WHO YOU ARE. CHERISH WHO YOU ARE. I can't think of a better gift to those around you, to the world, to your families and your friends, than to be YOU.
Onward! And,
G-d Bless You.
Your Friend,
Leslie
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