no, not the 'r' word - done gone too far

Darlene Morgan
Nov 28
4 min read

I will always stand up and speak for those who cannot and for the oppressed.

Write when it hurts. Write when the feelings are strong.

They are strong now. To the point my stomach is in knots and my heart in my throat. That is how much I feel things.

I am empathetic to the hilt.

I feel this way because of what the 'pres' of our country said about a governor. He called him a re**rd. Even writing about it just churns my stomach. Makes me feel ill and pain. Pain for those who do suffer from mental illness and disabilities. My nephew has disabilities and if anyone ever called him the 'r' word I think I myself may go offsides with them.

It is stridently not a word that should be in anyone's vocabulary. Let alone the person who is supposed to be leading and should be a leading example. The only thing I see 'him' leading is letting people know how Not to act. Not only that, I read a comment on another post of his where a young man praised the 'pres' for using the R word and how we can now be free to say it.

This is what I mean how rhetoric gets passed down from those who are supposed to be in authority. 'His' followers see this and think, 'finally! we can now express ourselves this way!' I also noticed how often 'his' followers use the word hate. I see it so much these days. I was told how much I 'hate' him. Hate is not a word I use nor do I have that ability to hate in my soul. What I do have is pity and discouragement. And those attributes make me cringe because I feel them at times. I do not want to.

Yet, this is what a person feels who acts strongly against the atrocities when they are apparent and obvious. It is what drives people to advocate and make changes to our world for the better. When the acts of others are so appalling, that it drives a person to write about it, carry a sign, speak to other leaders, speak on behalf of those hurt ... this is how change happens. If you look back at all the advocates, civil rights individuals and activists - they discovered where a community or group of people were suffering and they set out to change and stand up for what is actually right.

The other aspect of the 'pres' comment was also criticizing a females hijab; and all this was in a thanksgiving post. I had to shake my head at this and my heart tightened. I wondered why it bothered me so badly.

It does because when I view people in higher roles, I consider them to be role models and able to demonstrate how we need to treat others. When this is blatantly demonstrated through actions that are exact opposite, I feel discouragement. Enough, it just makes me feel defeat for our nation.

Yet .... what else does it do? It makes me want to do this. Speak up. I can make comments on others posts about 'his' actions and how troublesome they are, but I have not full blown created a post about it until now. It took seeing the 'r' word and comment about the hijab that shifted me into gear.

It is not okay to hide behind posts. It is okay to express concern and righteous for others and that is who I am. And do so appropriately.

Dear Lord, I want to believe those who voted this 'person' in have regrets and shame for 'him.' Please open their eyes to who he really is, and help us all to demonstrate the opposite of the actions our 'pres' shows and instead, show ultimate kindness and love for one another. To give space for everyone - because there is enough. And to not judge others. Only You Lord are the judge of all. Help us to be lead by your example and no others.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Okay, it is somewhat off my chest, but my mind is still in shock that a person in authority spoke like this. Not that much shock, but this went beyond. Also, speaking so more openly without any kind of alcohol in my system and it feels downright phenomenal.

This goes for each one of us. Respond with kindness as best you can. Breath, pray, and act.

This kind of news can disrupt a persons day, it can even hinder their health if they allow it to. We all need an outlet in order to vent in a wholesome way. If we cannot open up and express, it all gets pushed down and repressed. That is when it hurts us - it can harm our mental health and physical health.

We need positive, supportive and empathetic outlets. To be with others who can lift us up when we feel distraught or upset.

Do not be afraid to stand up to bullies and people who are demonstrating racism, prejudice, political injustice, civil rights injustice, saying hurtful things - do not be afraid. People who are unable to speak up because they are afraid, need strong people like you. Pray first for God to give you the words and do it with gentleness, kindness and stringency.

After all, Jesus did this. And that is whose example we should be following.

I encourage you all to pray to God when you get to feeling this way. Because He may not be able to take away the trouble, but He can walk through you with it and He most certainly does not expect you to come to him all pristine! If you have not yet, please ask Jesus to be your Savior - trust me, with Him by your side, life is more doable, even through times like this.

Love you all!

#donotsayretard #unhealthylanguage #prejudice #civilinjustice #sober #alcoholism #grief