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Abid Jan

A curious student of the nexus between public safety, inequity and community well-being, sharing learning to leverage success.

Lesson from the painful story of a black student who was named a ‘monkey’

What an amazing – must-watch story this is!!!!

Agree; we CAN control our destiny to a point. However, not everyone is like Dr. Myles Monroe. The reality is that some people, typically wonderful people, find themselves with a dark cloud of race, religion, colour, or any other stigma hovering over their lives.

Instead of judging them before even they have spoken to us, we need to admire them. I do this, keeping in mind they have more courage and strength than I think I could ever have – enduring more hardships and making more sacrifices for others than most of us ever will.

While we’ve all had to endure our share of struggles during our lifetime, let’s not wait for a system change to begin changing our mindset. Let’s not be those individuals who look down upon others because they are different. Life is like mountaineering. We risk falling by looking down.

While race is not a stigma, other issues become a stigma for individuals and consume their lives. In that case, we need to:

  1. Seek Support: Surround yourself with supportive people, such as friends, family, or a support group.
  2. Educate yourself: Gain knowledge about the issue and understand that stigma results from ignorance.
  3. Reframe Thoughts: Try to reframe negative thoughts and focus on your strengths and positive aspects of your life.
  4. Speak Out: Speak out against stigma and educate others about the realities of the situation.
  5. Take Care of Yourself: Practice self-care and engage in activities that bring you joy and comfort.
  6. Seek Professional Help: If needed, consider seeking the help of a mental health professional to cope with the effects of stigma.

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