I am not hysterical!

Every single day of my life I've had to question my passion; my passion for life, for animals, for the earth, for people, for my work, for my family and friends, and for myself. I quickly developed the ability to respond - in favor of my critic, not me - to accusations like, "you're over-reacting!", or "don't take things so personally!", or my all-time favorite, "don't get hysterical; it's not a big deal!". I've always agreed and replied, "oh, you're right, I guess it's no biggie", or "you're right, this isn't personal, it's just work", or, my most self-deprecating reply, "I do seem to over-react and get too emotional about things, don't I?". And in a flash, I've cut away at my core, my 'self', my soul. the wound left behind receives no first aid or care; it's left to heal itself amidst a climate of infectious organisms like discrimination, racism, misogyny, and hate.

No more, I say! No more!

To those who accuse me of over-reacting, I say you are under-reacting!

To those who say I take things too personally, I say you are too distant from the issue; you're too uncommitted to life!

To those who argue I'm too hysterical, I say leave my uterus out of it!

My passion does not reside in mind or my female organs; it is born out of my soul and feeds off of love, hope, joy, life, connection, and peace. It cannot be snuffed out by ridicule, criticism, dominance, oppression, hate and fear.

So, for you critics out there - get over it! I'm a Latina with a whole lot of passion for all the things in this world that move me, inspire me, challenge me, and motivate me! Today is the last day I apologize for being all that and the first day I choose to celebrate it!