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They Crossed The Line

They Crossed The Line

June 6, 2017 By Shelly McNamara

I watched this exercise unfold on the TV screen, and then experienced it firsthand. It was intense, and deeply moving.  The facilitator read each statement aloud, pausing after each to allow those who identified with the statement — to step forward. “If you have ever been called_____. Take a step forward”.

We all stood on the same line at the start, but the “questions of pain” separated those who had been targeted, from those who had been protected.  I felt my own personal pain deeply – the labels and lies that had been thrown my way over the years.  I felt the pain of others, in and outside of the room that I know suffered greatly.  I could see and feel the circle and cycle of pain we have all created – perpetuated – or enabled through our silence. I decided in that moment – it was time for that pain to end. I don’t want my children, or yours to “cross the line” ever again.

They crossed the line
One by one
“If you’ve ever been made fun of for being
Black – Overweight – Asian – or,
Gay

Cross the line
If you’ve ever been called a
Fag – Tomboy – or,
the “Promiscuous Girl”

Cross the line

If you’ve ever been called a “Sissy” or soft for
Crying – showing your feelings –
or showing you care

Cross the line
Cross the line of pain

The line we all created

The place we taught our children to go
And send others

To dump their feelings of fear and self doubt

We created the world and line of bigotry
How can we erase it?

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Filed Under: Level Set

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All content has been developed by Shelly McNamara in her personal capacity and not on behalf of her employer, The Procter & Gamble Company (“P&G”). Any views or opinions are personal and belong solely to her, unless explicitly stated otherwise. To the extent that this site uses or publishes information relating to P&G’s business, Shelly has obtained the appropriate approvals to do so in accordance with P&G policy.