I watched this exercise unfold on the TV screen, and then experienced it firsthand. It was intense, and deeply moving. The facilitator read each statement aloud, pausing after each to allow those who identified with the statement — to step forward. “If you have ever been called_____. Take a step forward”.
We all stood on the same line at the start, but the “questions of pain” separated those who had been targeted, from those who had been protected. I felt my own personal pain deeply – the labels and lies that had been thrown my way over the years. I felt the pain of others, in and outside of the room that I know suffered greatly. I could see and feel the circle and cycle of pain we have all created – perpetuated – or enabled through our silence. I decided in that moment – it was time for that pain to end. I don’t want my children, or yours to “cross the line” ever again.
They crossed the line
One by one
“If you’ve ever been made fun of for being
Black – Overweight – Asian – or,
Gay
Cross the line
If you’ve ever been called a
Fag – Tomboy – or,
the “Promiscuous Girl”
Cross the line
If you’ve ever been called a “Sissy” or soft for
Crying – showing your feelings –
or showing you care
Cross the line
Cross the line of pain
The line we all created
The place we taught our children to go
And send others
To dump their feelings of fear and self doubt
We created the world and line of bigotry
How can we erase it?
