We grew up inside a story we did not question. We followed the rules, accepted the boundaries, and stayed in our place. Our understanding of the world was shaped by those in authority, and we rarely looked beyond it. We didn’t name the divisions, didn’t challenge the silence, and didn’t ask why things were as they were. That was our normal. But normal is not the same as true. When we encountered other stories—stories that disrupted, expanded, and challenged our assumptions—we saw that our story was incomplete. Knowing others deeply requires more than acknowledgment; it demands listening, learning, and mutuality. We cannot move toward justice without this work. Together, we break the silence, honor every story, and claim a shared future rooted in truth.
May we walk forward with open hearts,
listening deeply, honoring every story,
and building a future rooted in truth and justice.
(inspired by Felicia Murrell, Gateway to Knowing)