Elucidating Questions

But I’m not proud of myself for being born.

I’m proud of the people who made it so that even though I was born I could live when they couldn’t.

I’m not proud of my culture,

I’m proud of the people who produced the aspects of that culture that speak to my soul.

I’m not proud of what my genetics decided would be most pleasing or rebelling against societal binary and acknowledging my discomfort within my own body

I’m proud of the people that made it so I could say that line and not get shot for it.

I’m not proud of history,

Have you seen history?

I am proud of the people who stood up during history like that one student who corrects the teacher

Hand tentatively raised

Ummm I don’t think that’s quite right?

I’m proud of that person and the people who listened and considered

Was it not quite right?

And how could it be righted.

I’m not proud.

It’s hard to relate in that way I just don’t get it either,

But I know what it means.

It means a great deal to me.

I may not be proud,

But I celebrate within Pride the lives that carried us far enough

To have Pride.