MD StyleWatch: Another Valentine

Friday, February 8, 2013

Another Valentine - I Rise

THAT day is coming up again, the day where we celebrate the magic of love. Usually, it's focused on the familiar, centered around the loving couple or focused on one adored. This year, can you feel the change in the air! It's time to spread that warm fuzzy feeling to include everyone. One in three women will be beaten or raped during their life time, that's roughly one billion people. People from all walks of life, not just women, are standing up saying 'enough!' This year there's a grass roots shift on many fronts to put an end to gender based violence and beyond. It's about breaking down barriers of intolerance between man, woman, transgender, muslim, christian, blue eyed, red haired, zebra striped or polka dotted or whatever you don't fancy and to simply stop beating each other up. It's about time to realize that we're all one and that we all share the same dream - to live in peace and without fear and with whoever we like. It's actually very simple... accept the person standing next to you as is. That's it. No need for chocolates or lacy lingerie, even if I'm sure it would be appreciated, only a quieting of that little dismissing judgmental voice in the back of our head and maybe a smile to brighten someone's day.

Everything that's in FL can, of course, be found in SL. This huge energy shift is no different. One really big initiative, One Billion Rising, is a huge international event involving almost 200 countries... plus SL. Peeps from everywhere and then some will come together to dance in support and demand that the violence against women and girls stops right now. Inworld there's be a 24 hours dance party and music event spread over four regions to make room for everyone to raise awareness about this issue that has serious ramifications, not just for fairness and happiness, but also for the economy and well being of all of us. We are all invited. Info can be found on their web page... FL and SL... and there's even a photo competition in the SL Flickr group, info about which can be found here and is a simple way to raise your voice.