Publisher's Synopsis
Around the entire globe, certain populations of people experience oppression for a variety of reasons. Whether due to skin color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disabilities, or any other aspect of a person's life, such oppression is unacceptable. No one can control their body type, how they were raised, or which gender they love. No one deserves to be undervalued or mistreated, especially for things out of their control. Today's global economy and culture is becoming ever more closely bound amongst all the countries of the world, and because of this truth, it is becoming ever more important that we learn not only acceptance for differences, but learn to appreciate them. In this book, the story of the oppressed is told through a free verse poem meant to demonstrate the nature of the effects of oppression, and then to express the effects of awakening from it. Each page of poetry is accompanied by art which abstractly illustrates the message behind the words. This poem is meant to recognize that within the hierarchies of our current systems of the world, people of all levels of society are suffering, often needlessly. Rather than ignore the suffering, we all have the choice to help ourselves be free and to also help others. Abuse, bullying, conflict, hate, harassment, slavery, and all other forms of belittling or devaluing are aspects of our society which are utterly under our control. We all contain within us the ability to shift our behavior, speech, and thoughts about how we treat our fellow human beings. If we choose to stop calling people "other" and instead realize we are all part of the same earth with the same basic needs, we can see our likenesses in each other. This is where we can build a space for compassion. This is where we can build a future without oppression. It all begins with loving yourself enough to be able to care for someone else.
