Is One Voice Enough? Gabrielle Union & I Share A Silent Bond Of Strugg – Nikol Beauty

Gabrielle Union is the latest woman up on the chopping block because of her infertility and the picture of her holding her newborn in a hospital gown skin on skin. Gabrielle Union is an American actress, activist, and author. She is married to NBA star Dwyane Wade and is very open about her struggles to conceive.

You see, we are both IVF sisters we share a silent bond of struggle, sadness, longing, heartache, and loss we also share a late diagnosis of endometriosis. Dealing with painful periods my entire life was one thing and has since lessened after the endometriosis surgery but the pain of not being able to have a biological child well, that pain will last a lifetime.

Even though it seems like everyone is doing IVF or having fertility struggles coming forward publicly is not easy. Gabrielle’s decision to share her journey helps other women that might be silently enduring the pain of infertility.

When I saw the post on Instagram from Oprah saying that Gabrielle is receiving unfair criticism and Mommy shamming about the pregnancy and childbirth of her daughter it enraged me. Thank goodness Gabrielle was able to use a surrogate.

I am outraged that people are saying that she is “trying to pretend she had the baby.” For starters, Gabrielle went through eight to nine miscarriages (she has said she lost count of how many) and another eight failed IVF cycles. She has been completely transparent about her baby journey.

For the people that have made a negative comment it’s out of ignorance and the intent to spread negativity. When are we going to stop this negative cycle towards women?

“WHEN ARE WE GOING TO STOP THIS NEGATIVE CYCLE TOWARDS WOMEN?”

The scary thing is most of these comments come from women. Why is it that we all think that we need to state our opinion, thoughts, or advice to a stranger on social media?

Is one voice enough? This question comes up a lot for me. Somedays when I get bombarded with negative and downright cruel comments about my appearance on YouTube I think why am I even doing this!

I then realize that my voice is POWERFUL, BOLD and UNAPOLOGETIC beyond measure. I open the folder I made on my computer for what I like to call my email ‘love letters’ that I have received from women all over the world. I read through these emails and feel recharged.

So I ask myself this again ‘Is one voice enough?’ I would say YES! One voice starts the movement of change. Luckily my voice was united with dozens of other women that had or were going through their own fertility journey back in 2014. Together we did and do make an impact on educating the public on infertility and endometriosis.

We can make a difference and stop this negative cycle of comments by choosing the words we allow out of our mouths. Check in with yourself and open your heart and arms to women just like yourself that are struggling through this thing we call life.

Originally published on Beauty Reinvented (2018-12-17). Republished here as part of bringing the Beauty Reinvented archive home to Nikol Beauty.