I did it. I stood up for my sister. Maybe I'm not as coward as I think I am.
I was reading a history book and I realised how a part of success was attributable to the strong bond the group of people had, and how family stuck up for one another.
A week back, someone at work had said something about my sister, who has just joined this workplace. They had said it in a room full of people but without my sister present, and it felt a lot like mocking, something to announce to the whole world how timid and scared she was, and how easily worried.
Now I know these things to not be true. Our body language is just naturally closed off. We're reserved. And I know my sister is very wise and well put together. She is able to articulate herself very well and is extremely knowledgeable too. In a new setting, of course, it takes time to settle down. So these remarks from a coworker did not sit well with me.
I never interfere with work matters even if we're family. I know that my sister needs space to learn how to navigate herself through work dynamics. I let her have her own experiences.
But this? This was slander. I thought about it for a few days. And about how I had stayed quiet. It made me angry that I had let this man say anything about my sister that had put her vulnerable light.
So today, I confronted him, politely of course, and let him know of my thoughts regarding his actions. He sworrreee that it wasn't his intention. That his intentions were "good". I let him know that I understand where he's coming from, but that I would like for it to not be repeated. He later apologized to me on text message as well.
I feel so much better now. To have stood up for my family. Something my father didn't do enough. He let us be bullied and abused. I will not let history repeat. At least all I can do is take a stand. If it still happens, it's out of my control. But at least I won't die with guilt. At least the world knows that if they're gonna bark about MY LOVELY SISTER, I'm not going to sit back and watch. This is me drawing boundaries.
A week back, someone at work had said something about my sister, who has just joined this workplace. They had said it in a room full of people but without my sister present, and it felt a lot like mocking, something to announce to the whole world how timid and scared she was, and how easily worried.
Now I know these things to not be true. Our body language is just naturally closed off. We're reserved. And I know my sister is very wise and well put together. She is able to articulate herself very well and is extremely knowledgeable too. In a new setting, of course, it takes time to settle down. So these remarks from a coworker did not sit well with me.
I never interfere with work matters even if we're family. I know that my sister needs space to learn how to navigate herself through work dynamics. I let her have her own experiences.
But this? This was slander. I thought about it for a few days. And about how I had stayed quiet. It made me angry that I had let this man say anything about my sister that had put her vulnerable light.
So today, I confronted him, politely of course, and let him know of my thoughts regarding his actions. He sworrreee that it wasn't his intention. That his intentions were "good". I let him know that I understand where he's coming from, but that I would like for it to not be repeated. He later apologized to me on text message as well.
I feel so much better now. To have stood up for my family. Something my father didn't do enough. He let us be bullied and abused. I will not let history repeat. At least all I can do is take a stand. If it still happens, it's out of my control. But at least I won't die with guilt. At least the world knows that if they're gonna bark about MY LOVELY SISTER, I'm not going to sit back and watch. This is me drawing boundaries.
26-30, F
