What connects most major countries today is not just the rise of fascism but the rise of the resistance to it spearheaded by women from the most marginalized sections of society. Whether it is the Somali refugee or the young Latina in the U.S. House of Congress, the Muslim women of Jamia and Shaheen Bagh. It turns out the most down-trodden also have the stiffest spines. It is not simply that adversity builds resilience. Nietzsche's aphorism that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger is true. But, what doesn't kill you can also break you for life. Putting yourself back together requires intelligence, bravery, fortitude, the kindness of others and also luck. It requires creating a relationship with yourself that is semi-autonomous to your relationship to the world. Treating yourself with respect when the world doesn't respect you is not easy. It requires going deep within yourself to find reserves of kindness and empathy for yourself and using those reserves as fuel for your ambitions in the outside world. So, that you may be marginalized, pitied, ridiculed by the outside world but you can still walk with your head held high, secure in the knowledge that you are trying to be the best version of yourself.
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