Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

My Gift To You

I'm not going to lie.

I started this blog because I love to talk about myself. And can you blame me?! I'm awesome.

This blog has become a place for me to vent, a place for me to brag, a place for me to wallow, and a place for me to debate.

But I also like to think this blog is a place where I can educate.

I feel affection towards you, dear reader, because you are like my little pupil. ;)

The internet is a powerful tool. We are told we shouldn't believe everything we read, but the internet seems so...authoritative. I could write on this blog that earth is triangular and you would roll your eyes and not believe me, because logically that isn't possible, but in the back of your mind you might be thinking, "my god...what if she's right?" And if you're still wondering this possibility in 20 years, my job here is done.

But I'm not here to tell you the earth is triangular. I'm not here to make you stupid.

I am here to give you some advice. Really, just educate you on how to be a better person.

Stand up for yourself.



This advice stems from a conversation I had with my friend Brittany yesterday. She said something fabulously profound.

"If people just stood up for themselves and stood up for what is right, the world wouldn't be that bad."

Don't put up with people treating you like shit, basically. Because if they learn they can't get away with it, they will stop. If they learn it really offends you, they may stop. You could be preventing someone else from getting hurt.

I'm not saying you should sharpen your nastiest cuss words every morning for that run-in with an annoying coworker. I'm not saying you should use a baseball bat during road rage incidents.

Just stand up for yourself.



Remember the incident a couple months ago where I chased the school bus down after the teenager yelled a racist and sexist remark at me? Well, it turns out the bus driver confessed this kid had done it several times before, to other women, before I got him busted. But every other woman had put her head down and walked away. No one else did anything about it!

Don't be that person who walks away with a sad face and a heavy heart.

Racist, sexist, and other prejudiced insults should not be tolerated. Cruelty should not be tolerated.



Stand up for yourself, because chances are, no one else will.

39 comments:

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons said...

;) Thanks.

Lara Woodbine said...

Great post, so inspirational!
+ thanks for your comment just done a new post, feel free to take a peek!
thankyou,
lara x

Anonymous said...

I dig the spirit!

And yes, you are that awesome.

Although I believe racist, sexist and bigoted remarks can be hilarious, as long as you qualify them with "just kidding."

I'm just kidding.

Andrés Corella said...

Excelent post!...you absolutely right one got to stand up and we need to push back this kinds of behaviour

xx
Andy

Bronzed Humanity said...

This is absolutely true! Be bold and confident!
xx

Venus Loves Virgo said...

You go girlfriend! Wonderful post :) I feel the same way. My problem is standing up not just for myself but everyone else and that gets me in trouble all the time but who cares, the naysayers can suck it! OMG! The earth is a triangle? LOL! You rock fabulous girl XOXO
BTW...where is that model photo with the comic scene from? is it an editorial?

Rachel @ The Haute Notes said...

This is an absolutely AMAZING post, Jennifer! So inspirational and so true. :)

Sherin said...

What? The world is triangular?? My god, it makes sense!!!

Anyway, I needed to read this. I am a petrified little soul and I need to learn to stand up for myself. I've taken so much crap from other people, so thanks for this.

A BRIT GREEK said...

Powerful words darl... I really enjoyed this post... I too also wish people stand up for themselves when confronted with a situation.

You are awesome darl!
x.o.x.o

Tights Lover said...

Awesome post. It seems simple, but when you stop to think about it...how often do we really stand up for ourselves. I know I don't as much as I probably should.

I'm still proud of you for the bus incident. That was awesome. If the driver knew the kid did this all the time and said nothing....he's an a-hole, by the way...just so you know!

I loooooved the first picture!

ps. I'm happy to call you Nikita. You certainly deserve a cool name like that :).

Angelica Ng said...

What a good piece of writing! I love how ideas like this just come to you.

http://red-soledfashionista.blogspot.com/

noone said...

I agree with you, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, the crying baby gets the candy, if you don't stand up for yourself no one will :) have a great holiday hun!

Josie said...

This is absolutely beautiful, Jen. Thank you for the reminder; I frequently need it!
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

MariahSmile said...

So true!

btd. said...

Love the advice. You always post something I need to hear.

indianmakeupways said...

another fab post from the fabulous!!! love the way you put things across to ppl.:)

Dina's Days said...

Well said my friend. There's always a nice way to shut someone down who has insulted you. Which makes you even 10 times cooler. I still can't believe you chased that bus down. You lead the craziest lifestyle, and I enjoy every second of it.

JUST ME said...

Love these pictures!

Ellen ♥ said...

Like! :) hahaha :) This is your page so you can post whatever you want :)

Merry Christmas! :)

ellenreviews.blogspot.com

SMD said...

This is so perfect! Wow what inspiration, and this is just what I need to hear, because i admit that sometimes I let the "popular" people walk all over me. But I won't anymore!! Your posts are always so incredibly inspiring and beautiful! http://thearcenciel.blogspot.com/

David Macaulay said...

way to go Jennifer - I'm going to tell Gibson to piss off next time...

Alaina said...

This is a great post. It's refreshing to see a blogger blog for good instead of evil ;)

But in all seriousness, this really opens my eyes on how often I let other people walk all over me.

But I will say that it is not just women who do that. My boyfriend is a doormat. But I do agree that women really need to start asserting themselves.

xox

Zabrinah said...

I love this post! I enjoy being your little pupil!

Best wishes,

~Zabrinah

Fati said...

That's true... but as someone who is told she "stands up too much" (no, really), and as someone who deals with racist words and actions on a weekly if not daily basis (I'm Muslim and recently started wearing a headscarf... I was shocked at how many friends I lost, forget about strangers), sometimes walking away is the best thing for me. If I let myself get so mad every time, I'm letting that poison spewed by others seep into my heart and control me. By nature, my instinct is towards righteous outrage and action whenever I see injustice... but when it happens to me, it's hard not to get bitter if I keep letting it get to me.

I totally agree with the spirit of the post. Just wanted to add my own two cents too, and extend the conversation. Thank you for starting it!

-Fati

daisychain said...

Amazing post gorgeous x

Tanvi said...

I like how you teach your pupil with a dash of humor. I am educated by this post my dear Jen! :) Love your spirit and thoughts! Yes you are awesome!

Audrey Allure said...

Definitely true. Love this post, so inspirational!

Rafael Franco said...

Adorei o post. E as fotos são incríveis.


bjokas

inté

http://neopopculture.blogspot.com/

Nikosmommy said...

Oh Jen, this is a great post! "Don't be that person who walks away with a sad face and a heavy heart"...

Those words are perfect. How many times in our lives have we all done that?!

Hope you have a great Christmas and Holiday season. 2011 is going to be an amazing year for you!!!!

Couture Carrie said...

Awesome advice!
Beautifully illustrated post too, darling!

xoxox,
CC

michelle_ said...

beautiful editorialsss !!
love this personal post :)

thanks so much for stopping by at my blog !!
glisters and blisters

Unknown said...

fab post!

Missy
Blending Style, Celebs and Fashion
http://thefashionfusion.blogspot.com

Andreea said...

Great advice, very inspirational:)

♥ kisses ♥

http://thrilloftheheel.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

i'm following you!
loving your blog, and i'll be back for sure!
have a merry christmas and happy holiday!
and come visit COSMICaroline for some more holiday cheer!!

-COSMICaroline
COSMICaroline.blogspot.com

cathy. said...

Loved this post, you're very inspirational :)

xx

Beny said...

OMG.... the Girl in comic scene.. insanely Cool...



Love,
Beny Ricardo Sadewo
http://www.purple-snap.com/

Oh my Dior! said...

great advice i like your blog! i'm following u :D

http://www.ohmydior.org/

Unknown said...

Amen girly!

Merry Christmas my blog friend:-)

Fashion Court said...

one of my favorite, favorite posts by you.

i hope you have a fabulous holiday, jennifer <3 xo