Survivor

Forgiveness Can’t Be Forced

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I’m at the self-checkout at the grocery store with my partner, Mike. He passes our rewards card in front of the scanner, and an electronic female voice addresses us. “Welcome, Valued Customer,” she intones, with all the warmth an industrial recording can muster. Mike is disgusted. “Do they really think they can manipulate us with that ‘valued customer’ crap?” He looks at me, expecting agreement. I look back at him sheepishly. “Uh …  That makes …

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The “V” word

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VICTIM: What comes to mind when you hear that word? Don’t be a victim. She’s always playing the victim. I’m not a victim, I’m a survivor. Let me be the first to stand up and say that people should be allowed to use their own words when they talk about themselves. If you identify as a survivor rather than a victim, I honor your truth and your choice of words. But if you feel victimized, …

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