Sticks and Stones

How I’m overcoming hate-speech

“All Good Things” blog by Jonathan Michael Saucedo

Bend when you must, but look up. Look up with dignity, burn bright, and sparkle because if we’re very lucky, there will always be another season waiting for us to wobble in.

I took off my teaching hat for my Sunday morning walk, and my Apple music shuffled to Keith Urban’s “Shame.” I was actually weaving a bit as I walked. I looked a little drunk, but I don’t drink; it’s just a season of my illness. As I weaved in sunshine, it felt like it was made just for me.

“Everyone hurts the same / I’m not trying to be special / cause I ain’t no angel / everyone hurts the same.” — Keith Urban fills my headspace.

For anyone who follows my Instagram, , you know I was recently called a “fu***ng faggot” by folks I trusted. As I walked, I contemplated my next blog entry and returned to my “All Good Things” origin story: All good things don’t necessarily end; they change like the seasons.

A mild Chicago winter with significantly less snow transitions almost effortlessly into spring. With sunshine that has been here for as long as time. I think of the word, faggot. If you’ve followed my story, you know I’m gay, but I never considered myself a…