I don’t usually talk politics on my blog. And what I have to say today, while having its roots in my concern for human rights and the upcoming election Stateside, is really much larger than that. It’s about democracy, which provides you with personal power, and it’s about using that personal power to stand your ground. There is one issue I want to speak to, as it is the thing that made me sit up and take notice this October. On October 20th, millions of Americans, myself included, participated in Spirit Day. Meant to bring awareness to the recent suicides of gay teens who had been bullied, the message was for anyone who found themselves persecuted that there is a veritable army that will stand up to that tide of hatred. Yes, we wore purple, both in real life and online. And that’s easy — that by itself doesn’t change hearts and minds. But bigger than that, we joined a call, clear and loud, to end bullying. It’s not just about being gay, lesbian, bisexual, Muslim, or even purple. It’s about being human. I looked around that day, witnessed the sea of purple, and my faith in my fellow Americans was restored.

The “It Gets Better” videos gathered in response to the suicides were meant to bring comfort to teens going through similar pain. So much love was poured into them. And yet with each one I watched, the message that was ringing in my head was not one the average 13 year old poised on the edge of taking her own life was going to be receptive to. It’s one much better suited to someone in pain, yes, but with enough strength left to rally. I know my message cannot bring those kids back from the brink. But maybe, just maybe, it can keep kids from approaching the brink to begin with.

See, the voice inside my head was screaming You have to STAY! You can’t change the world for all those who suffer this after you, unless you stay to change things! We need you!