4th of March is Weird Pride Day. This is a day for people to embrace their weirdness, and reject the stigma associated with being weird. To publicly express pride in the things that make us weird, and to celebrate the diversity of humankind.
Many people need desperately to receive this message: ‘I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.’
– Kurt Vonnegut, Timequake
To be weird is to be alive. Sailing into the headwind, together. All over the world, people on the margins are converging on the universal language of ecologies of care, weaving new threads into the relational fabric of life:
We all know that the world is in crisis. We are all in crisis, and the path forward is a path through despair – together, participating in omni-directional learning and embracing the unknowable future.
“Normality” is shaped by the many things culturally well adjusted people don’t notice, and by the many things they take for granted. The hump of the bell curve is the false God of Normality.
On Weird Pride Day you are invited to write and talk, make art and videos about what people think is weird about you – and why (and how) you accept these things about yourself.
This could include:
- Stories
- Reflections
- Calls to action
- How to be weird safely
Jointly embracing our weirdness helps us to leave behind the WEIRD mono-cult, by nurturing emergent and beautifully diverse ecologies of care. Weird Pride Day started in 2021, but its roots go back a long way before that.
I have no dress sense. I needed clothes I could move, garden, teach preschool n mind grandchild in.
I paid for someone for whom clothes shape n colours is a superpower. Can’t describe how smart she is at this. She picks out a rack of affordable clothes in a shop that I can try on. I get less confused.
It’s more economical too this mix n match practical add-on wardrobe I use for years. She ‘got’ me and what I feel like ‘me’ in. It’s as valuable as academic fees for someone like me, opening doors.
I’m still a bit relaxed about ‘looks’. Busy w life.
I thought the family wouldn’t notice but after first shopping trip younger son said ‘Mum, you look less weird now.’ -his Actual words!! Funny!! I was surprised anyone noticed.
Now I have clothes I love, look prettier, getting dressed I can shuffle thru my photos of what matches. 😍 (I have poor recall of her words so settled on visuals.)
So I have Uneven senses. No surprise I like science n don’t mind maths. But always loved drawing as a kid, right thru class, clothes etc. And music. Weaker visuals. Hunter gatherer ‘Husband can spot fruit n nut trees at driving speed by contrast n recall when they will be ripe. This is life.
I am never going to be able to tell police what ‘the criminal’ was wearing or the car type or plate etc! 😎All good. We need more valuing what people can do well. Support each other.