The Clearance Rack

While lingering through target (a unicorn experience - lingering and strolling, instead of rushing with four littles before a meltdown happens s !) I came across the clearance rack. I usually gravitate towards that rack cuz I just love deals and sales. After my wonderful little adventure, I got to thinking - why do clearance racks exist? Then I took it an extra step and started thinking about clearance racks in relation to people and the value we place on each other.

I believe sometimes we see special needs or additional abilities, or those who have supportive services as the people “on the clearance rack”. They’re still in the store - they still hold value and are worth something, but just not as much - tucked away on the clearance aisle. We go visit the aisle, spend a few quick minutes looking for something we might like, and then move on. This clearance aisle is designated for things that haven’t sold, don’t “work right” or have “less value”.

Here's the thing, When I advocate for value and worth of people, and when I stand on my soapbox to shout the value and worth of human beings - I’m not talking about ONLY certain kinds of people. I’m talking about ALL the kinds of people. Placing value and worth on those with different abilities than we ourselves have is what WE are all about!!! We are all different , and we are all the same - connecting with both our differences and our sameness.

Now, don’t get all business major on me with how clearance works and percentages and statistics - this is an analogy. I’m making a point - my point is simple and I’ll make sure it’s clear :

Different abilities to not belong on a "clearance rack"

Different abilities do NOT EQUAL DEFECTIVE.

Different abilities do NOT EQUAL LESS VALUE

Down Syndrome is not a defective diagnosis

ELIJAH is NOT A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.

from my point of view - that clearance rack that we sometimes allow to be set up in our minds needs to go -

I'M HERE TO SET THAT CLEARANCE RACK ON FIRE.

I’m here to say that I’m in the business of eliminating that clearance rack because Elijah and Down Syndrome and different abilities don’t belong anywhere near it.

Let’s see differently the sameness that makes us all US, and know that differences are what allow us to fit together like puzzle pieces. We are ALL created by a Creator that only makes GOOD things. We ALL have value because of who made us. Picasso’s paintings are valued and have so much worth because Picasso painted them. We Have value because the most powerful, loving, and just God made each of us with thought and purpose.

GOD didn’t create people for the clearance rack,

so how about we live like it.

Let’s stand for each other, fight for the worth of PEOPLE - and burn that ridiculous clearance rack down.