My tribes are many. I identify as female, lesbian, Scandinavian, feminist, rebel/activist, and educator.
I was born female. It has always been my go-to. I believe that women are innately superior to men. We just need to own up to it. And we need to encourage the men to move UP to our level. They have been mired down at their level for too long. They need to recognize and learn to celebrate the diversity in our species. Acceptance and celebration of each of our unique qualities. Yes, there are those who do not conform to societal standards, however, as long as what is done does not harm anyone or anything, allow for individuality. It has been part of what made our nation the place to come for acceptance.
I knew I was different when I was young. I did not have a name for it. I choose to sometimes go down a different path than my peers. I was not a true loner. I had lots of friends. I enjoy being with people. My teen years were angst-filled like most others. That bled into my 20s. Toward the end of them, I realized my attention and attraction was toward women, not men. I found out that there were more women like me. I found my next tribe, lesbian. I embraced it as I did most everything else in my life. I jumped in with both feet up to my knees. This revelation made me reexamine my earlier life and it started to make more sense.
I know I said I identify as Scandinavian but I really identify as Swedish. My father came to the United States in 1933. Both my Mother’s parents were born in Sweden as well. I am a first generation U.S. citizen. I am proud of my Swedish heritage. I was actively involved in the VASA organization through my Swedish singing group, Solstralen, on the south side of Chicago from age 3 until we moved to Florida when I was 14. Our holidays always had a Swedish flare to them, Christmas, Easter, May Day, etc.
I believe I was always a feminist even when I didn’t know what the word meant. I was raised to be independent and that I could do anything I put my mind to. Both my parents had to work to make ends meet. My upbringing was a little different from others. My Dad was twelve years older than my Mother. My Mother did all the driving, my Dad didn’t even have a driver’s license. Work around the house was split evenly for the most part. Even taking care of me.
I have always been stubborn. I wanted to do things my way. Not that I broke the rules or didn’t learn them, I just wanted to find ways to do things that worked for me as well as others. I read as a kid, I read as an adult. I never lost the curiosity of wanting to know why and how. I always want to fix things. People, stuff, laws, governments….
As an educator, I get to try to put into practice what I have learned through the many tribes I associate with. I try to promote social justice, equity, acceptance and celebration in my classrooms. I try to reinvigorate the natural curiosity that everyone had as a young child. I push my students and myself to design a life that is fulfilling, engaging and enthusiastic. I am an optimist. I believe we can make a better world. I have a t-shirt that says, “Life is not perfect. Life is not easy. Life is good.”
Life is good. GO OUT AND LIVE THE BEST LIFE YOU CAN!!
Wandering, Learning, Growing 