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Does Emotional Labor Douse Your Personality?... Don't Worry-- it Doesn't.

Some people seem to think that being a community organizer stifles your individuality. Or that being a woman of color, or a leader of a marginalized group takes you away from your creativity and your dreams.

Don't worry- it doesn't.

Maybe this is similar to being the matriarch of the family and the myth that good parents care about others more than they care about themselves. This is a falsehood that is used to demean jobs that consist of emotional labor or positions that are traditionally given to women.

We all know that our personal experiences make us unique and our passion gives us the fire to create. Not only to create products but also to create the change you want to see in the social world. You have to believe in it and lead the way in order to see change.

Of course there are some who won't be able to keep up with you. But, having a personality has very much to do with having a perspective, so the politics that you surround yourself with does make you who you are. Should you choose to believe that politics have no effect, you're doomed to repeat history and it's obvious to nearby observers that you are situated in a position of privilege where you can choose to ignore social issues. That doesn't mean the issues fade!

So, don't worry-- you will always be the individual or entrepreneur you wish to be. In the tech world, every person is an island and we are all players in a competitive game. Individuality is default. It is radical to show spontaneous acts of kindness and true compassion in a world like this.

Thusly, I say with pride that I am a volunteer. I work for free to create positive social impact. And the reason I point this out, is because I've received some criticism for doing this work for free. Yes, I need to survive-- believe me, I know it. But surviving in a world that isn't equal, is not worth my time. I have to do something about it.

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