Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Reclaiming My Voice: Healing Through Speaking Out

 

There’s something incredibly powerful about reclaiming the voice I once felt I had to silence. For years, I kept so much bottled up, not just because I didn’t know how to say it, but because I wasn’t sure anyone would listen. After spending so long in an environment where control and silence went hand in hand, I’ve had to relearn what it means to speak up. And now, every time I do, it feels like a piece of my soul is healing.

When I look back, I realize how much the prison system demanded silence. It wasn’t just a job—it was a world where keeping quiet felt like a necessity. If you wanted to survive, you couldn’t challenge the system. You couldn’t question the injustices happening around you, because doing so meant risking everything. And so, I stayed silent, even though deep down, the guilt of not speaking up weighed heavy on me.

Now, in this new chapter of my life, I’ve realized that my silence doesn’t have to define me. In fact, every word I write now is a declaration of freedom — freedom from the guilt, freedom from the fear, and freedom from the belief that I can’t make a difference. Speaking out has become my form of healing.

Part of this journey also involves actively advocating for my husband’s rights. He’s been subjected to cruel conditions and violations within the prison system, where his medical needs are ignored, and every step I take to advocate for him results in more retaliation against him. I’ve had to reach out to multiple state authorities, demanding investigations and accountability for the systemic issues at play. This is more than just a personal fight; it’s a fight for everyone trapped in a system designed to silence and oppress.

The truth is, the outside world has no idea what their tax dollars are not paying for. The prison system claims to rehabilitate, but it falls drastically short, leaving broken individuals with no real opportunities for healing or growth. The neglect is real, and the people who suffer within those walls are human beings who deserve dignity, care, and the chance to rebuild their lives.

Now, in this chapter of my life, I refuse to be silenced any longer. Every voice counts in this fight, and together, we can make a difference for those who are too often forgotten. I will continue to speak out for the ones still trapped in silence, for the ones who haven’t yet found the courage to reclaim their voice.

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." — John 1:5

#PowerOfOurVoices #EppersonEmpowerment #FromGuardToWife #ReclaimingMyVoice #HealingThroughTruth #SpeakingOut #BreakingTheSilence #AdvocacyForJustice

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