Poeaxtry's Poetry Prism

Spell. Stone. & Sparks that Ignite Change

Tag: Equality

  • One Selfless Wish: Imagining Equality and Freedom for All

    One Selfless Wish: Imagining Equality and Freedom for All

    Prompt:

    A stranger offers you one wish, but it must be selfless: what do you wish for?

    Answer / Reflection:

    If I could make one selfless wish, it would be for equality, freedom, and equal rights for all humans everywhere. In a world so divided by wealth, power, and privilege, imagining a reality where everyone has the same opportunities, protections, and freedoms is not just idealistic… it’s essential.

    Equality isn’t about giving everyone the same thing; it’s about removing barriers that prevent people from living fully. Freedom isn’t just the absence of oppression… it’s the ability to pursue one’s passions, speak one’s truth, and exist without fear. A selfless wish like this could ripple across generations, changing lives in ways no single person could imagine.

    This wish may not be simple, but it’s universal. It’s for the person struggling in silence, the family denied rights, the communities still fighting for recognition. It’s for the world we can choose to create if empathy, justice, and courage guide us.

    Selfless wishes force us to look beyond ourselves and consider the collective good. Asking, “What would I wish for if it weren’t about me?” challenges us to imagine a better world, and more importantly, to work toward it in our everyday lives. Today, my selfless wish is equality, freedom, and equal rights for all. And a reminder that change begins with vision, empathy, and action.

    If a stranger offered you one wish but they told you it had to be selfless what would you wish for? Make your own list and tag me or tell me here in the comments.

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  • How I’m Being the Change: Goals to Amplify Minority Voices

    How I’m Being the Change: Goals to Amplify Minority Voices

    Friday, on my way to work, I received a thoughtful email from the editor of Magique Publishing. This is a platform that has published me. They have also interviewed me in the recent past. Our relationship has been meaningful in a rather short amount of time. I value the insight, as we have built on a working relationship with shared values and mutual support. The editor read my recent blog post about the changes I wanted my blog to inspire. He reached out to tell me that my words had gotten him thinking. He pointed out something important: many people say they want to be the change. However, few ever talk about how they actually plan to be the change. The how is what baffles most. He also asked me a direct and challenging question: how am I going to be the change?

    The editor noticed something important. People are often aware of the big problems in the world. Yet, many don’t have clear guidance. Or they lack understanding on how to make a difference. We find it challenging to create impact on a small scale. He speaks about a university professor who, after leaving teaching, realized that practical “how-to” solutions for everyday activism were scarce. And wouldn’t you know he has a solution to help bridge that gap. He created a checklist of challenges. These are grouped by size and scope. People are welcomed to try them weekly or monthly. These challenges also include large spectrum goals. Examples are writing a letter to a government official or volunteering hours. They also consist of medium and small goals, like donating to a local charity or composting food scraps. He even suggested the possibility of joy-centered challenges to help people feel more connected and grounded in their communities. I love this idea of supporting each other through shared challenges and building momentum together.

    That email also motivated my own self reflection on ways I’ve actually been the change and where I can do more. It is rare you meet someone able to challenge you so respectfully and with the best intentions. But the questions he proposed pushed me beyond words into concrete action. I’m sure I’ll be forever grateful for that.

    In response, I’m dedicating time to developing two sets of goals organized into three clear categories: small weekly actions, medium monthly projects, and large bimonthly initiatives. One set will focus on personal goals for myself, while the other will center on community engagement, offering practical ways for contributors to get involved and create real change.

    I am also keenly aware that many people speak about being the change but rarely take real, measurable steps. This gap between words and action is what I am determined to close. One key way I live this is by intentionally publishing only minority creators in all my collaborations and projects. While I do allow ally-supportive works when they add meaningfully, they must not speak over marginalized voices. No minority submitting a piece on theme will ever be turned away. I may not publish every piece in a collaboration, but I will always include at least one from a minority creator. I’m not aiming to silence more of us. I’m committed to amplifying marginalized voices and ensuring they are never overshadowed.

    Though I am working steadily toward these goals, I know the work is ongoing and there is always more to do. That’s why I invite you, my readers and fellow changemakers, to consider your own goals for creating change. What small, medium, or large steps will you commit to? How will you move beyond talk and into meaningful action? I encourage you to share your goals in the comments. You can also reach out directly. Together, we can hold each other accountable. We can build a community dedicated to lasting impact.

    I am deeply thankful to Magique Publishing’s editor for inspiring this reflection. Sometimes, one thoughtful question from the right person is all it takes to turn intention into powerful action. If you want help crafting your own goals, I’m here to support you. I’m also here if you want to engage your community in this conversation. Let’s make change happen, now.

    Check out Magique publishing’s substack
    Check out our List of ways to make actionable change!

  • Who Is Poeaxtry_? Authentic Personal Brand, Advocacy & Creativity.

    Who Is Poeaxtry_? Authentic Personal Brand, Advocacy & Creativity.

    Interviewing Myself: Who Am I?

    Q: What are you about?

    I stand for empathy, kindness, and radical inclusion. I fight for the right to be different and believe every human deserves equality and respect. My morals are rooted in advocacy and dismantling discrimination in all its ugly forms. I was 7 years old. I first remember my mom explaining to me why I shouldn’t treat her clients differently. & from that moment on, I knew bullying was wrong. That is truly sad when you think about the time some of you learned this.

    Q: What hobbies and interests fuel you?

    Poetry, rock hounding, rock tumbling, spell crafting, hiking, kayaking, camping, fishing, and so much more. I thrive in creative flow and nature’s raw energy. I excel in the heat and dirt; when sweat is covering my hair and shirt.

    Q: Outside writing and creating, what excites you?

    Swim, kayak, hang out with my doggy and the kitties. Witchcraft, reading, and playing video games.

    Q: What are you definitely not about?

    Bullies, especially adult ones. Racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, fascism. You know what, actually, fuck all phobias and ism bullshit and those who embody them. I can’t stand the cold; meaning the air and your tude.

    Q: What adjectives do not describe you?

    Quiet, boring, afraid. Just to name a few.

    Q: What don’t you want people to think about you?

    That I’m someone who tolerates inequality or doesn’t fight for the rights of everyone in humanity. I have always been one to know all humanity is equal and deserving I’d hate someone think the opposite.

    Q: What are your defining characteristics?

    Empathy, kindness, and the ability to include and uplift everyone. My loud ass mouth and my yellow ass attitude.

    Q: What do friends and family say about you?

    They call me hyper, loved, soft, a golden retriever, a good man, poetic, passionate, and an advocate. Someone who they can depend on.

    Q: What are your core values?

    Advocacy for policies that protect human rights, commitment to dismantling discrimination, activism, and honoring the diversity of human experience.

    Q: What causes matter most to you?

    Human rights, abortion access, marriage equality, healthcare justice, and the fight against harmful legislation as a whole. Ending the bullshit minorities are facing from Gaza to Ukraine and back to The USA.

    Q: Are these central to your brand and goals?

    Absolutely. I wouldn’t be me and my brand wouldn’t be by me if it weren’t. Would it?

    Q: What’s unique about you?

    I was a boy with boobies. I have a serious vitamin D deficiency. It makes me take a boatload of supplements. The creator forgot my other D too. So the struggle is real.

    Q: What are your short-term and long-term goals?

    Short-term: Keep creating new solo and collaborative projects, and grow my community.

    Long-term: Build a name and a publishing press that uplifts minorities and pays them fairly for their incredible work.

    Q: What are your strengths?

    I lead with empathy. While I hold space for grief, rage, softness, and transformation. I’m an advocate, especially for those who are silenced, overlooked, or underestimated. My creativity is wide-reaching and adaptable. I’m deeply intuitive. I connect dots most people miss. I build community in a way that makes people feel like they belong. I live my life with resilience, knowing I can be the storm or the calm sky. And more. Always more.

    Q: Is there one thing you do exceptionally well?

    Yeah. I take chaos and turn it into clarity. Whether it’s through a poem, a piece of handmade rock art, or helping someone feel seen. I try to take the raw, messy, painful stuff and turn it into something honest, haunting, and healing. And sometimes even beautiful.

    Q: What impact do you want to make?

    I want to foster real change. I want people to see me. I want them to realize, “Hey, I know someone trans.” There are more of us than you think, even if you don’t see us. Passing doesn’t matter, visibility does. Just because you don’t know every trans person is trans doesn’t make us exist any less.

    Q: Do your personal and business brands overlap?

    Completely. In more ways than one. I couldn’t think of business model names or my future platforms because I just incorporate all of me.

    Q: Why are you building a personal brand?

    To foster change, help others, and bring my authentic self and community together.

    Q: Are you breaking into the creator economy?

    Hell yes. I can only hope.

    Q: Are you building a business, a product, or a space?

    All of it of course. I have a business, products, and a space for connection and growth.

    Q: Are you creating a professional image to secure funding or partnerships?

    I hope so, but mostly to help and uplift others.

    Q: How will you create unique value for your audience?

    A: By blending literature, identity, and honesty into interactive work. My poetry, zines, e-books, and collaboration projects with meaning. I don’t just share; I connect. I create spaces where people feel seen, and remind them that their voice matters. While also giving them a place to share and a platform to publish on.

    links. portfolio. ko-fi. Payhip.