Jae

“Proximity has taught me some basic and humbling truths, including this vital lesson: Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. My work with the poor and the incarcerated has persuaded me that the opposite of poverty is not wealth; the opposite of poverty is justice. Finally, I’ve come to believe that the true measure of our commitment to justice, the character of our society, our commitment to the rule of law, fairness, and equality cannot be measured by how we treat the rich, the powerful, the privileged, and the respected among us. The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned.”
― Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

“Nietzsche (ugh) told us, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
You've been hearing this for years, in one form or another, but let's be specific. Like, if you're hit by a car and don't die, does the car make you stronger? No. Does injury or disease make you stronger? No. Does suffering alone build character? No. These things leave you more vulnerable to further injury.
What makes you stronger is whatever happens to you after you survive the thing that didn't kill you.
What makes you stronger is rest.”
― Emily Nagoski, Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle

“It gives him delight in a way that houses no wanting, and this pleases me.”
― Carmen Maria Machado, Her Body and Other Parties: Stories

“You cannot be upset at strangers who hurt the people you love, but ignore when the people you love hurt strangers.”
― Maggie McMuffin, We Too: Essays on Sex Work and Survival