“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
I’M NOT IMPRESSED WITH YOUR TITLE AND DEGREES
COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING DO MORE FOR ME
CAN YOU SHOW ME, SHOW ME YOUR HUMANITY
INSTEAD OF TALKING, TALKING DOWN TO ME
CAN YOU SIT WITH ME, CAN WE TALK A WHILE
AND THEN I KNOW YOU WOULD SEE ME SMILE
OH I KNOW, YOU WOULD SEE ME SMILE
WALK WITH ME A WHILE, WALK WITH ME A WHILE
This is the closing verse to my song, “WALK WITH ME”(c) and I thought in this blog post I would share a bit of how this song came to be written and why I feel it ties in with the DESTINATION DIGNITY event taking place on Monday, August 24th in Washington DC at the National Mall.
I tend to perform this song a lot in my keynote presentations, I usually share with the folks in attendance that this is one of my angry/sad songs…. and yet, it is also one of Hope. I am extending my hand outward to others to spend some time with me, to please Walk With Me. The song’s genesis comes from my experiences and the shared collective experiences of so many others who have felt the sting of stigma and discrimination because somewhere along the line, we were given the label of “mentally ill” due to some diagnosis. For myself, it was Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depression. The isolation, blaming and shaming that many experience due to some label placed upon us is devastating. To be treated like a second class citizen, a subhuman is crippling to the mind, body and spirit.
DESTINATION DIGNITY can help to end the silence, the shame, the blame, the criminalizing and the false distortions that are perpetrated by society and the media that we are to be feared. I’ll be there and grateful to be a part of this historic event and lend some music to the cause while folks gather on the Mall.
“Destination Dignity is a collaborative project for change and public engagement around mental health in America. The Destination Dignity march as its focus will bring people from around the world and nation together, with people affected by mental health conditions in the lead, to create energy and solidarity for a more supportive nation. It will consist of a kick-off rally at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and a march on the National Mall. Many communities, local and national organizations are contributing to this effort through the Dignity Mental Health Coalition.”
“Dignity and rights for people affected by mental health conditions are the counterpoint to a legacy of stigma, shame and discrimination that has caused social isolation, chronic under-funding of services, unnecessary levels of disability and unemployment, and the unacceptable levels of premature death, including by suicide, of people affected symptoms of mental illness. Public awareness for these issues must be led by people who have experienced these impacts personally, along with their supporters, allies and related professionals, in order to both realize change and engage the previously silent majority of Americans affected to these issues.”
Please visit the Destination Dignity website to learn more. You can participate via social media and other means if you are unable to be at the Mall itself.
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which has the potential to turn a life around.” Leo Buscaglia
Take care, Michael Skinner
“WALK WITH ME”(c) – Listen to a two minute clip
Resources for Trauma, Abuse & Mental Health – 2015-08-The_Surviving_Spirit_Newsletter_August_2015
“WALK WITH ME” [c] Michael Skinner 1999
From the musical album “TRAIN OF TEARS” – by Michael Skinner
WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME, WHAT DO YOU SEE
HAVE YOU JUDGED ME, BY THE LACK OF A SMILE
BUT COME WITH ME, STEP INTO MY SHOES
CAN YOU WALK WITH ME FOR ONE MILE
THEN PERHAPS YOU’D SEE, ANOTHER PART OF ME
I’M ALSO A MAN WHO LIKES TO SING
I TOO HAVE HOPES, HOPES AND DREAMS
TO BE MORE THAN WHAT YOU LABELED ME
—- SO OPEN UP YOUR EYES, CLEAN OUT YOUR EARS —
LEARN TO LISTEN, LISTEN TO LEARN, AND THEN YOU’LL HEAR –CHORUS–
AND THEN YOU CAN GET PAST YOUR STIGMA AND FEARS
OF WHAT HAS CAUSED YOU TO TREAT ME SO CALLOUSLY—-
CAN YOU TAKE A CHANCE, CAN YOU TRY TO UNDERSTAND
THAT I’M STILL A MAN, WHO HAS SOME PLANS
WHO CAN FALL TO HIS KNEES, FROM AGONY
THAT CAN CRIPPLE ME, BUT IT’S ONLY A SMALL PART OF ME
I’M NOT A CHILD TO BE PATRONIZED
WITH ALL OF YOUR FAKE SMILES
I TOO HAVE HOPES, HOPES AND DREAMS
TO BE MORE THAN WHAT YOU’VE LABELED ME
—– CHORUS —–
YOUR PREJUDICE AND FEARS ARE QUITE CLEAR TO ME
AND NO DOUBLE TALK HIDES THAT FROM ME
INTELLIGENCE AND INSIGHT STILL RESIDE IN ME
SO COME DOWN FROM YOUR THRONE, THROW OFF THE ROBE
THAT GIVES YOU SUCH ABUSIVE POWER AND CONTROL
CAN YOU SIT WITH ME, CAN WE TALK A WHILE
DO YOU THINK YOU COULD WALK IN MY SHOES A MILE
I’M NOT IMPRESSED WITH YOUR TITLE AND DEGREES
COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING DO MORE FOR ME
CAN YOU SHOW ME, SHOW ME YOUR HUMANITY
INSTEAD OF TALKING, TALKING DOWN TO ME
CAN YOU SIT WITH ME, CAN WE TALK A WHILE
AND THEN I KNOW YOU WOULD SEE ME SMILE
OH I KNOW, YOU WOULD SEE ME SMILE
WALK WITH ME A WHILE, WALK WITH ME A WHILE
