I love Eleanor Roosevelt, but this quote always bothered me. I think I know what she meant - that your self-esteem comes from within, and just because someone thinks your shit shouldn't change that - but it does seem victim-blaming.
I'm pretty sure she was talking about African-American kids living under Jim Crow laws, so it's a bit better in that context.
It does work a bit better in the plural somehow. But it still reminds me of the grownups who would tell me to "just ignore" my bullies.
And even though I now know that self-esteem does come from within, it's not like I could will it into existence. I think a certain critical mass of external validation is needed to kick-start it.
I love Eleanor Roosevelt, but this quote always bothered me. I think I know what she meant - that your self-esteem comes from within, and just because someone thinks your shit shouldn't change that - but it does seem victim-blaming.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure she was talking about African-American kids living under Jim Crow laws, so it's a bit better in that context.
It does work a bit better in the plural somehow. But it still reminds me of the grownups who would tell me to "just ignore" my bullies.
ReplyDeleteAnd even though I now know that self-esteem does come from within, it's not like I could will it into existence. I think a certain critical mass of external validation is needed to kick-start it.
I think a certain critical mass of external validation is needed to kick-start it.
ReplyDeleteRight! Well said.
From despair.com: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent, but you'd be a fool to withhold that from your superiors."
ReplyDelete