Morning gorgeous x

How are we all today? Good, I hope. And for those that are not, I stand with you and beside you – Whatever your beliefs (and whatever mine…).

I know that some of my articles can be polarising, both for and against me, my views and the groups of people I belong to. Some of that has been intentional, to incite debate, to get people talking, to make you think. There has been some of it, however, has been unwittingly unintentional; through lack of knowledge, or lack of forethought, or just sheer emotion as I was writing the piece. But I can honestly say that in all of it, hand on heart, there was never an intent to hurt anybody or drive people away.

I’ve learnt a great deal from writing this blog, over the five and a half years that I have done so. And I’ve learnt a great deal over the six years that I have been in transition – Yes, that long (although still relatively a short time; to some). And I’ve absorbed all of that knowledge as best I can, no matter how bitter a pill it was to swallow at the time.

But all of those lessons have come with a price tag; as any life lesson should. Some of those price tags have been easy on the moral and social purse, and others have nearly bankrupted me. Yet all have been paid and few on credit. Because I’ve always thought and, I’ll be honest, believe it was necessary to do so – Everything comes with a price in a capitalist society, so make sure you have your purse handy BEFORE you act; as if you can’t find it afterwards, you’re in a lot of trouble. But that’s capitalism for you.

Individuals, mavericks and rogues will always need larger bank accounts than those who form part of a group. The price tag for necessities will always be higher for those people, as collective bargaining reduces the cost; the expense in this case, is the “perfect fit”. When buying collectively, you tend to find that what you’re purchasing will never really fit your needs, but it will do the job you’re asking it to do. And you can always throw it away and buy another one at a later date, right?

Or can you?…

You see. When buying something in the physical sense, consumerism for want of a better word. The price tag is not what you see on the box, but how much waste the product will ultimately create; both during its use and at the end of its lifespan. However, when buying into a moral philosophy. The price tag is much higher. Those kinds of price tags can, ultimately, cost lives. And not just the lives of individuals, but the lives of whole sections of society. Applying capitalist policies to the moral compass can, and ultimately will, erase entire identities from existence; with complete disregard for what those identities contributed to society – They are waste ready for recycling. And yet to the individual, the cost can simply be a tick in a box.

I’m a member of several marginalised groups within society. I’m a fully paid up, card carrying member of those groups – I’ve earned my place within them and I’ve paid my price, in full. But I don’t always believe in the philosophies of the groups I belong to, because I’ve spent most of my life living in the majority and having the luxury of choice over what box I tick. However, events in my life have forced me to make choices that I’d rather not have made. That I didn’t feel the need to make, at the time. But there was a gun at my head, a pen in my hand and a finger tapping on the piece of paper – You must choose. And choose now.

So I did. And I’m happy with my choices, even if others are not. They were not their choices to make and they’ll never make me regret them. Why? Because I believe in the fundamental right to choose. And I also believe that said choice should never be forced. Because when you force something, you put a price tag on it and price tags should never be applied to moral compasses.

Because it’s not simply a tick in a box. You can kill people if you make the wrong choice. So choose wisely and stand up for your beliefs, because consumerism and capitalism are not the same thing. Although politicians would have you believe otherwise. The waste, is people’s lives, and they can’t be recycled…

Much love,

Vikki ❤️ x