Let's Start Protecting Ourselves Now!

"Even though we have laws on the books against discrimination you can't always stop the bigotry of other people, no matter how hard you try. But you can stop people from hurting you on the inside and taking away your self-esteem." (From the website Withstandingthelie.com)

"Your opinion of yourself plays a fundamental role in determining the overall course and quality of your life, and there is no greater negative influence on what you think and feel about yourself and ultimately what you do with your life than the disparaging treatment and negative attitudes of others. Therefore, protecting yourself mentally and emotionally from the harmful conduct of others should be one of your highest priorities" (From the book Withstanding the Lie)

We wrote the book Withstanding the Lie and started this blog because we feel there is a compelling need today that is not being addressed adequately. Clearly, we are striving as a nation to one day eliminate all harmful discrimination, but it will certainly take a long time to accomplish our mission. Meanwhile, people are being destroyed on the inside by the prejudice of others. We believe the loss of self-esteem and the other mental and emotional harm that people suffer due to bigotry can be greatly diminished, if not prevented altogether. We believe there is much that we can do and must do right now to protect ourselves from the bigotry of others, as we await that day when discrimination is no more.

What are some of the ways that you are hurt mentally and emotionally or suffer the loss of self-esteem when others commit acts of bigotry against you? What harm do you suffer as a result of negative attitudes in public opinion against you because of your race, religion, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation or other similar attributes? And what do you do to protect yourself? Yes, there is indeed much that we can do and it all begins with conversation. Let's begin our conversation now. Please let us hear from you on the questions we have proposed.