It seems that at least once a day I make eye contact and exchange a compliment or an uplifting statement with someone else who is Natural. The comments range from, “I love your hair, to ‘You look AMAZING!” If time permits we stop to exchange brief tips and encouragement about styling, products and retail options. I always leave these exchanges with the feeling that I have met someone else that is anchored in their spirit in a unique way. This anchor has literally replaced the conduit that carried subconscious currents of self-loathing and self-hatred. It does not allow external images and dialogue to influence or dictate our outward demonstration of beauty anymore. WE GET IT! This exchange made me think about how SOLIDARITY is essential to relaying the message of any meaningful movement.
Merriam Webster defines SOLIDARITY as "unity that produces or is based on a community of interests; objectives and standards." We can see the effects of solidarity from world events such as the recent civil unrest in Egypt that led to President Hosni Mubarak stepping down after almost 30 years in office to the US demonstrations led by the state workers of Wisconsin in protest of anti-union legislation in Wisconsin. While the definition simply states "unity that produces...," I believe more fully that it is unity that produces CHANGE.
Soldarity can be effective in everything from planning and implementing a great neighborhood festival to removing oppressive regimes and changing public policy. Today, I challenge you to have a conversation with children and adolescents about anything from the importance of voting to higher education with an emphasis on the word "solidarity." Let's put our conversation into action and show our children how to organize and change the world by getting involved, uniting with each other and creating good examples of leadership through self-love and positive self-images.
SOLIDARITY! I love this word! I love the meaning and the power of this word in action.
The Natural Darling
