Namaste all,
I decided to try to come back to HDF after a long absence, mainly because someone from here sent me a private message asking about me. While I do feel flattered that someone on here remembers me, I still feel a bit hesitant about returning here, for much the same reasons I left.
In the intervening months between my departure and now, I've been taught many things, by fellow Hindus (especially a life coach originally from India who now does her counseling over Skype with me from California)...first and foremost among them to not be ashamed of who I am. Yes, I may be white, male, American, etc., but how much do those factors really dictate who I am? Really? Do other people of the same so-called identities I just mentioned who say and do much more stupid things have to dictate who I have to be? If I was really the same as them, I would have followed in their footsteps by now. And I've been taught that there's nothing inherently wrong with me. In fact, there's a lot inherently right with me because I don't go down the road of racism (even though I might accidentally cross that path from time to time).
The point I'm getting at is that I don't want to be forced to backtrack on this progress. I don't want to be made ashamed of who I am again. I know I can't control the actions of other forum users on here, but one thing I can and will control is my participation. If I don't feel safe here, I have no compunctions about leaving once again.
Sorry...I know that sounded like an empty threat. I didn't mean to be condescending that way. I just want to make sure the coast is clear for me, so to speak.
Bookmarks