When womyn kiss

On occasion people express disgust and even trepidation at my willingness to be out and proud and most of all loud about my beliefs. I'm often asked how I can live with so much hostility directed at me, so much disagreement, so many attempts at silencing me. And these same people declare how they would NEVER do what I do, they just couldn't.

I ask them "has a stranger leaned over and kissed your check today?" Well, strangers have kissed my check often, especially Black and brown womyn.

Has a stranger ever told you that you've made her day, her week, her month even? Well strangers have told me.

Has a stranger ever thrust money into your hands and asked you to never stop spreading the word, to continue speaking up for her? I've had strangers give quarters to $100 dollar bills - more likely closer to the coins but still.

Has a stranger ever stopped whatever work she was doing to come whisper encouragement and thanks in your ear or chased you down on the highway or searched for the driver of the parked truck? I have.

I say this not to sing praises to myself but to let you know that these acts so outshout, outrank, outlive the violence directed at me or my truck.

I second Congresswomon Maxine Waters "I have no fear! I am in this fight!"