Background here. [And there are teaspoons still available. — MM.]This all started when Melissa wrote something brilliant. I can't, for the life of me, figure out which post it was, but I wanted to find a way to put to use the inspiration she'd given me.
Melissa wrote a post. She is only one woman. One teaspoon full. I was inspired to create some jewelry. You came out and bought the jewelry. Teaspoon-wielding Shakers donated in excess of $700 to CARE.org. CARE will use those funds to assist women in their communities to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources.
I have always known, yet sometimes I have forgotten or lost faith in how powerful small groups can be. I do HIV research and my world often becomes exceedingly small and dreadfully large. I forget that within tiny groups there lies the power of new ideas, the power to change minds, the power to learn new ways of solving problems, and new ways of thinking.
CAR disclosed yesterday that she was once a fundamentalist and now she rejoices for the same sex couples getting married in California. Teaspoon full.
After her admission, others came out to make the same admission. More teaspoons.
I, and I imagine others, was inspired by seeing that minds could be opened. More teaspoons.
None of us knows what public Boob Pistol of Disdain or well thought out analysis will make someone rethink his or her stand on cis/transgendered people or remind a friend that not one of us are free until all of us are. We're not a bunch of bloggers spitting into the wind. We challenge each other to think out our positions, making us stronger advocates for all people.
In the words of Florynce Kennedy, patron saint of teaspoons, "You've got to rattle your cage door. You've got to let them know that you're in there, and that you want out. Make noise. Cause trouble. You may not win right away, but you'll sure have a lot more fun."
This is the essence of Shakesville. Make noise, cause trouble, have fun. There are more teaspoons. Rattle some cages.
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