Having worked in education for 18 years, it's been a challenge to transition my view of defiance. When I began teaching, defiance was an offence worthy of an automatic discipline referral. These days, I view it more as a form of communication. When a student or child is "defiant" they are telling us that something is out of alignment. When adults engage in defiance, they are telling others the same thing. Something in our microcosm is violating someone's needs, rights, or ethical standards. I think it's impossible to resist or challenge oppressive forces without some form of defiance.
It's such an insignificant thing in the broader scope, but I'm really proud of garnering the strength to defy an emotionally abusive and controlling partner and start speaking my truth and voicing my opinions, especially in the presence of others, when they contradicted his. I was terrified of his wrath for so long for not being a "unified front" with him, but when I did, and I had support from the other people around us, I realised that I wasn't wrong or shameful to think the way I did, and he didn't have a leg to stand on to berate me for my differences. It also gave me the confidence I needed to stand up for myself in more and more areas of my life with him.
I'm old and I think my generation of women, or at least most of us, has learned that to be complacent with government when things are good leads to what we have now. What we are living through today has been in the Republican game plan since Reagan. It will ALWAYS be in their game plan. Remember that while you're living your life they are trying to take away your rights. Vote. Run for Something. Call your representatives. Demonstrate.
To me, being defiant means sticking up to your convictions even if it's unpopular among like-minded friends and advocates. "Let me tell you why I won't support this policy fad, this trendy politician, this well-known activist." I believe you can compromise on policy without compromising on principle. But convictions are drawing a line in the sand and saying, "No, no more." To quote Sorcerer's Stone, "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."
I love the word defiant and have proudly called myself a defiant person all my life, though it's definitely not always been easy. Dr. Sah's definition is perfection as it means every single one of us can figure out our values and then act accordingly, not according to how society shoves its expectations on us. I have defied expectations since I can remember. Deciding not to have children despite every stranger I met asking me why I didn't and society trying to make me feel like I wasn't enough because I chose to be child-free. Not having a corporate career because it went against my nature to play that game. Speaking out against the patriarchy and standing up for women's rights even when others might not care or listen. Defiance. Defiance. Defiance. These acts of defiance were simply me paying attention to my core values and then taking action based on them. And now I spend my time helping other women do exactly the same thing!
Me too no kids and no cats (I like cats but I'm allergic) but I do have a dog. I love that my mom taught the 3 of us kids, now well in to our late fifties and early sixties, to not think of our lives as uniformed, but to create unique lives as an honorable badge of self-honesty, reflecting the genuine heart and creative mind that lives in us all!
Defiance rarely is seen in the positive. It is necessary for survival for a society to be cooperative - in fact, that is how humans came to dominate the animal kingdom. Our society has moved from being cooperative for the greater good to being cooperative with a particular section of society to gain or retain power. At this point in our nation’s history, defiance is the only way forward as it has been with other times in our history. In this time, being defiant through shouting the truth will make people feel uncomfortable. The hope is they find their discomfort is not due to the defiance, but to the truth of the impact on their own, their family and friends well- being. Not until then will we change the course, but so
many will suffer along the way. Defiance right now means not being quiet, calling others out- making people uncomfortable!
I take extreme pride in being defiant. I wish I had more time to be more active in the political arena. The things this government is doing is just galling. I hope people will vote next time with the notion that their vote has a ripple effect in the rest of the world. Their choices might mean life or death for another soul in another side of the planet.
As a kid growing up in the 60’s and 70’s there was a mixed bag of signals about defiance. I was young and impressionable and very aware of the Vietnam protests and the Women’s Movement. So I learned that defiance was necessary but often seen as negative behavior. And I decided the people who viewed it as negative behavior were probably not my people. I also learned it came at a price - after Kent State. I’d like to share a defiant-type story from my Mother, from the 1950’s. She went to a large predominantly white high school in the Chicago suburbs. She was a cheerleader and she became the Captain of the squad her Senior year. During the tryouts for the coming year when she was an outgoing Senior, a Black woman tried out for the squad. There had never been a Black cheerleader despite there being at least a few Black male athletes. At her tryout, she was incredible. She was clearly better than most everyone who tried out. But when the votes by the squad and selection committee were returned, she was not selected. As squad Captain, my Mom was in the position of approving the votes or not, and she chose not. It was part of her role to determine if the others were voting fairly and without favoritism. She told the others they would sit there all night until someone changed their vote. And so they voted again, and the following year the school had their first Black cheerleader.
In today's world being brown or non white and living our lives with historic and future purpose is an act of defiance - being poor and living your life now a days is an act of defiance - being honest and caring is an act of defiance - being loving and compassionate now a days is an act of defiance, being female and unmarried is an act of defiance, being in community and belonging is an act of defiance, being humane with flaws and working through them is the ultimate act of defiance!
Having worked in education for 18 years, it's been a challenge to transition my view of defiance. When I began teaching, defiance was an offence worthy of an automatic discipline referral. These days, I view it more as a form of communication. When a student or child is "defiant" they are telling us that something is out of alignment. When adults engage in defiance, they are telling others the same thing. Something in our microcosm is violating someone's needs, rights, or ethical standards. I think it's impossible to resist or challenge oppressive forces without some form of defiance.
It's such an insignificant thing in the broader scope, but I'm really proud of garnering the strength to defy an emotionally abusive and controlling partner and start speaking my truth and voicing my opinions, especially in the presence of others, when they contradicted his. I was terrified of his wrath for so long for not being a "unified front" with him, but when I did, and I had support from the other people around us, I realised that I wasn't wrong or shameful to think the way I did, and he didn't have a leg to stand on to berate me for my differences. It also gave me the confidence I needed to stand up for myself in more and more areas of my life with him.
I'm old and I think my generation of women, or at least most of us, has learned that to be complacent with government when things are good leads to what we have now. What we are living through today has been in the Republican game plan since Reagan. It will ALWAYS be in their game plan. Remember that while you're living your life they are trying to take away your rights. Vote. Run for Something. Call your representatives. Demonstrate.
To me, being defiant means sticking up to your convictions even if it's unpopular among like-minded friends and advocates. "Let me tell you why I won't support this policy fad, this trendy politician, this well-known activist." I believe you can compromise on policy without compromising on principle. But convictions are drawing a line in the sand and saying, "No, no more." To quote Sorcerer's Stone, "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."
I love the word defiant and have proudly called myself a defiant person all my life, though it's definitely not always been easy. Dr. Sah's definition is perfection as it means every single one of us can figure out our values and then act accordingly, not according to how society shoves its expectations on us. I have defied expectations since I can remember. Deciding not to have children despite every stranger I met asking me why I didn't and society trying to make me feel like I wasn't enough because I chose to be child-free. Not having a corporate career because it went against my nature to play that game. Speaking out against the patriarchy and standing up for women's rights even when others might not care or listen. Defiance. Defiance. Defiance. These acts of defiance were simply me paying attention to my core values and then taking action based on them. And now I spend my time helping other women do exactly the same thing!
Me too no kids and no cats (I like cats but I'm allergic) but I do have a dog. I love that my mom taught the 3 of us kids, now well in to our late fifties and early sixties, to not think of our lives as uniformed, but to create unique lives as an honorable badge of self-honesty, reflecting the genuine heart and creative mind that lives in us all!
What a beautiful sentiment, Key Day! I SO love that your Mom gave you that gift, and that you honored it!
Defying this facist regime. I've been protesting at my Congressman's office. He said he would protect Medicaid, but he lied.
Defiance rarely is seen in the positive. It is necessary for survival for a society to be cooperative - in fact, that is how humans came to dominate the animal kingdom. Our society has moved from being cooperative for the greater good to being cooperative with a particular section of society to gain or retain power. At this point in our nation’s history, defiance is the only way forward as it has been with other times in our history. In this time, being defiant through shouting the truth will make people feel uncomfortable. The hope is they find their discomfort is not due to the defiance, but to the truth of the impact on their own, their family and friends well- being. Not until then will we change the course, but so
many will suffer along the way. Defiance right now means not being quiet, calling others out- making people uncomfortable!
I take extreme pride in being defiant. I wish I had more time to be more active in the political arena. The things this government is doing is just galling. I hope people will vote next time with the notion that their vote has a ripple effect in the rest of the world. Their choices might mean life or death for another soul in another side of the planet.
As a kid growing up in the 60’s and 70’s there was a mixed bag of signals about defiance. I was young and impressionable and very aware of the Vietnam protests and the Women’s Movement. So I learned that defiance was necessary but often seen as negative behavior. And I decided the people who viewed it as negative behavior were probably not my people. I also learned it came at a price - after Kent State. I’d like to share a defiant-type story from my Mother, from the 1950’s. She went to a large predominantly white high school in the Chicago suburbs. She was a cheerleader and she became the Captain of the squad her Senior year. During the tryouts for the coming year when she was an outgoing Senior, a Black woman tried out for the squad. There had never been a Black cheerleader despite there being at least a few Black male athletes. At her tryout, she was incredible. She was clearly better than most everyone who tried out. But when the votes by the squad and selection committee were returned, she was not selected. As squad Captain, my Mom was in the position of approving the votes or not, and she chose not. It was part of her role to determine if the others were voting fairly and without favoritism. She told the others they would sit there all night until someone changed their vote. And so they voted again, and the following year the school had their first Black cheerleader.
In today's world being brown or non white and living our lives with historic and future purpose is an act of defiance - being poor and living your life now a days is an act of defiance - being honest and caring is an act of defiance - being loving and compassionate now a days is an act of defiance, being female and unmarried is an act of defiance, being in community and belonging is an act of defiance, being humane with flaws and working through them is the ultimate act of defiance!