When we devalue another person in any way, it subconsciously gives us permission to treat them as though they don’t matter. When something isn’t important, we treat it poorly, harshly, unjustly. When we ignore or deny a person’s worth, we treat them with the same contempt. Oftentimes we don’t consider a small thought, mindset, habit, or action as damaging, however, these seemingly innocent fractures all too often create a chasm of divide between our fellow humanity. Friends and neighbors become enemies as we take and give permission to exploit one another’s weaknesses and differences, and every single time, pain is caused.

Devaluation is a contagious disease in society and it must be cured. You and I hold the power to be a part of that cure! The #StopDevaluation movement is a call to action to be an initiator of change. We can be the ones who begin to bring healing instead of harm by bravely seeing the value in ourselves and in others.

What does it mean to #StopDevaluation? It starts with intentionally assessing our own thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs concerning ourselves and others. If our thoughts are not generating value, we have to confront them in our own minds and choose to change the way that we think.

The #StopDevaluation movement is for those who will challenge themselves to be the change makers within culture and model justice-motivated leadership by using their power for the good of others. This means refusing to participate in gossip, rumors, slander, and bigotry. It means choosing love over hate, knowledge over bias, mercy over judgement, and kindness over insult. It means believing and speaking the best of everyone and confronting those who bring harm in healthy ways. These powerful choices will change us, and we can change our world.