The luxury of shame

Do you have the luxury of shame? I do.⠀ ⠀

Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista is a fictional character in the TV drama ‘Pose’ played by Mj Rodriguez. Pose has the largest ever cast of trans actors for a scripted show, as well as multiple trans directors and writers, amplifying a community that has regularly been written out of LGBTQ history.⠀ ⠀

She was pounding up giant steps to a dance school. Her son challenged her, she replied “we don’t have the luxury of shame”. Blanca demanded to meet the Head of Dance, begging her to let her son audition.⠀ ⠀

Blanca was right. Her son has been beaten and abandoned by his parents for being gay. Her own mother disowned her when she told her she was a woman. The people Blanca and her son represent don’t have the luxury of shame - they have no choice. ⠀ ⠀

It’s very likely you have the choice. Choose wisely.⠀ ⠀

The next time you feel the heat of shame on your skin - ask yourself is this a luxury I can afford? The answer will probably be yes. And then do the thing; raise your hand and ask the question, say yes even though you are scared, challenge injustice when you see it and hear it. Do it for Blanca and the millions of folks who’ll never have the luxury of shame - no matter how many times they say yes.⠀

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