As I thought about compassionate or empathetic picketers, I wondered what their signs would say, and if I were to join, what message would my sign display.
I think my sign would be for those who were abused as children, for those who grew to be mental due to the nature of being hurt by those they loved.
My sign would encourage them speak their truth and walk strong, knowing that you get stronger with each voiced memory and feeling, airing out the long held secrets.
I would dispel the belief that there is a normal, a perfect way to be, and instead show them my imperfect me.
I could begin a group of I M Perfect people.
People who have walked in the darkness, been lost in mental confusion, denial and pain, who are tired of trying to be something they can never be.
Normal.
Trying to be normal is trying to be not you.
Normal.
What is Normal?
Who is the measure and rule of normal?
I have yet to meet one normal person.
I think it is a myth.
Maybe my sign would say, “There is No Normal” or “This is My Normal.”
I will picket normal.
If we get rid of normal, we can get rid of all the prejudices against abnormal people.
By taking normal out of the picture, we all become abnormal.
Well, I had to look up ‘Normal’.
1. usual: conforming to the usual standard, type, or custom
2. healthy: physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy
3. occurring naturally: maintained or occurring in a natural state.
What is the usual standard anymore? Is there truly one?
I have to look up ‘abnormal’.
Not normal; not typical or usual or regular or conforming to a norm.
What we call abnormal is not conforming to a norm?
But what if we can’t conform to norm, because we didn’t have a norm to conform to? Then what?
Are we abnormal?
I would hasten to bet that there are more abnormal folks than normal.
Did you know that 20% of the homes have a mom and dad? Yet we still call that ‘typical’ even when 80% of homes are not that.
I bet reality has changed, but we forgot to change the norms.
There are no Norms in reality only originality.
Originality is the new Norm.