Thread by @headofwoodlands

I have to apologise for being so quiet this past couple of weeks! So many of you lovely people have contacted me to ask me if I am ok - I am.

I want to summarise a few of my views on what I think I may have missed, and heard snippets of ...

Twitter is a wonderful community - provided everyone behaves in a professional way. That doesn’t mean anything more complex than simply not sending inappropriate messages/ posts to anyone and if (accidentally?) you do, and they point it out, apologise and stop. Stop. Reflect.

The world is a complex place to navigate most of the time - more so currently. Is could be easily made better if people were not disingenuous. I identify as white, and female. My story is mine, I have navigated many hurdles and overcome.

I want no sympathy or pity. I share because by doing so it is possible for other females to see that anything is possible.

I support and celebrate the work of any human - if it is based on integrity and a sense of morality.

I reject anyone who discriminates based on sexuality, colour, race, gender, age, disability. I want to do more to celebrate diversity and quietly challenge myself as to ‘how’ I do this. I think the recent report on racial matters is abhorrent and needs to be challenged entirely.

I know the history of the country I was born in is marked with shameful behaviour and I know we are all capable of doing better and being better - as with most things, this is modelled from bottom up and top down and policy/ effective sanctions dictate and support it.

I abhor anyone who ‘victim shames’ - especially for assault and sexual assault. Nobody EVER asks for this to happen, EVER. Male/female. It should not be condoned - under any circumstances. I teach my son that there are no excuses for refusing to take ‘no’ for an answer.

I tell my daughter that her body is hers and she gives permission to anyone who she wants to permit to invade her space and touch her - she can wear what she wants. She knows she is permitted to express her individuality and not fear physical or sexual assault.

Each of us is entitled to our opinions, but if they are not shared by others, then we are not necessarily entitled to openly challenge those who disagree to the point of harassing them. We are ok to disagree, politely.

Being racist, or supporting the racist rhetoric, not calling out assault and sexual assault for what it is - not good drills.

Be kind, everyone. Life is short. Do good where you can. 🤷‍♀️

Don’t fret about followers - just follow those whose tweets you like. Respond to them, open your mind to ideas and possibility rather than think about the numbers on your profile - your tribe find you and you find them. Genuinely - be you!

Social media is simply that - it’s not real life. Those people you connect with will end up being more than your twitter mates and will be more. It’s a useful place to make superficial connections but the deeper ones take time as they do in real life - what’s the hurry?

Focus on your views and values and live them 👌🏼