As a fellow Venezuelan, your story resonates deeply. The culture of victimhood can be so alluring because it offers validation without the responsibility of growth. Your journey from self-victimization to self-empowerment is inspiring, especially in a country where real suffering is undeniable. It’s refreshing to see someone embrace nuance in a world that often pushes extremes. Do you think there’s a way to help others break free from the same mindset without pushing them further into it?
I've learned that you can't force anyone to come out of any patter. What we can do is to keep writing and sharing. Having nuanced conversations with people who maybe we wouldn't have thought we could agree with and that's how it starts. If someone is willing to listen, talk to them. If not, walk away and keep showing your values through example. No sabía que eras venezolana, bella, mil gracias por leerme.
Thanks for this great article Belle. Believe me, you are far from "a random Venezuelan". Your natural confidence and positivity places you in my eyes as "an awesome Venezuelan". Look forward to further articles.
Powerlessness is like a sneaky little drug. It’s that thing that feeds your ego’s insatiable need for significance. Social justice activism can just keep filling that void and making the feedback loop spin faster. You fight for a cause, but you’re still stuck in the same spot.
“I said I wanted to become a wild animal tamer and have a tiger and an eagle as best friends. Being bullied was inevitable, but it didn’t stop me.”
I, too, had a weird dream. I wanted to be a philosophizing cartoonist like Bill Watterson and also have a manatee as a best friend, like Hobbes. And I was misunderstood too. But you know what? It didn’t stop me. And I’m guessing it didn’t stop you either.
So well said!! Yes, it's incredible how we can actually find comfort in self-victimization. But like you said, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy, as we end up being ineffective and dependent because of our victim identity.
Noah, you´re such a wonderful soul and a warrior I admire. Your words mean the world to me because I know they aren´t just nice words to make me feel better, they are an authentic gesture given with love. The "empathetic left" has forgotten what this means. They virtue-signal or give empty praise, but you? You show me true kindness and compassion. I´m so proud of you and I hope to keep creating by your side. I´m honored to have met you and eternally grateful for your support. I know we can change the world for the better!
Thank you for reading Noah and for leaving this lovely comment! I'm so glad you appreciated Belle's essay. I think it's really special and important too.
And I would love to see this essay get a Pulitzer Prize 😁 And great additional points you made!
As a fellow Venezuelan, your story resonates deeply. The culture of victimhood can be so alluring because it offers validation without the responsibility of growth. Your journey from self-victimization to self-empowerment is inspiring, especially in a country where real suffering is undeniable. It’s refreshing to see someone embrace nuance in a world that often pushes extremes. Do you think there’s a way to help others break free from the same mindset without pushing them further into it?
I've learned that you can't force anyone to come out of any patter. What we can do is to keep writing and sharing. Having nuanced conversations with people who maybe we wouldn't have thought we could agree with and that's how it starts. If someone is willing to listen, talk to them. If not, walk away and keep showing your values through example. No sabía que eras venezolana, bella, mil gracias por leerme.
Thanks for this great article Belle. Believe me, you are far from "a random Venezuelan". Your natural confidence and positivity places you in my eyes as "an awesome Venezuelan". Look forward to further articles.
This is so kind Michael, so glad you read this one and took the time to show support ❤️
Powerlessness is like a sneaky little drug. It’s that thing that feeds your ego’s insatiable need for significance. Social justice activism can just keep filling that void and making the feedback loop spin faster. You fight for a cause, but you’re still stuck in the same spot.
“I said I wanted to become a wild animal tamer and have a tiger and an eagle as best friends. Being bullied was inevitable, but it didn’t stop me.”
I, too, had a weird dream. I wanted to be a philosophizing cartoonist like Bill Watterson and also have a manatee as a best friend, like Hobbes. And I was misunderstood too. But you know what? It didn’t stop me. And I’m guessing it didn’t stop you either.
So well said!! Yes, it's incredible how we can actually find comfort in self-victimization. But like you said, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy, as we end up being ineffective and dependent because of our victim identity.
Noah, you´re such a wonderful soul and a warrior I admire. Your words mean the world to me because I know they aren´t just nice words to make me feel better, they are an authentic gesture given with love. The "empathetic left" has forgotten what this means. They virtue-signal or give empty praise, but you? You show me true kindness and compassion. I´m so proud of you and I hope to keep creating by your side. I´m honored to have met you and eternally grateful for your support. I know we can change the world for the better!
Thank you for reading Noah and for leaving this lovely comment! I'm so glad you appreciated Belle's essay. I think it's really special and important too.
And I would love to see this essay get a Pulitzer Prize 😁 And great additional points you made!
You´re both women I admire so damn much so I´m honored to be seen that way by two great warriors.