We Are Stronger Together
“No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin colour, gender identity: speak yourself.”
Although this message by boyband BTS’s Kim Namjoon at the UN General Assembly rings true, finding your voice and speaking for yourself can be difficult. Even more so if you feel that you are alone and you don’t know if what you feel is valid.
In his speech, Namjoon also spoke about how he too had to go through his own journey of losing and finding himself before he was able to encourage millions to speak for themselves.
Why did movements such as #MeToo and #ImNotAshamed gain the recognition that they did?
Simply put, there is strength in solidarity.
The rallying of many who are going or have went through a similar struggle, and their openness to speak out is what creates great strength.
Instead of saying “this is none of my business, I will not get involved”, there are some circumstances where we should question — “If not us, then who will?”.
There is a quote by Hellen Keller that says, “Alone, we can do so little. Together, we can do so much.”
We may not know each other. We may not ever know what someone else is going through. Even if we did, we may not ever be able to empathise or understand to the fullest extent.
But I hope we remember that we are stronger together.
We are stronger together, for two is better than one. If one falls, the other can pick them up.
We are stronger together, for there is strength in solidarity. Being able to lean on one another. Being able to express yourself without fear. Being able to walk alongside each other as we heal.
We are stronger together, for it is in our words that we find solace. It’s not about raising our voices, rather, it is in raising our words. For it is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.
We are stronger together, for our solidarity brings hope.
We are not alone. We are one.
We are stronger together.
