The Price of Speaking Up

By nature, I'm a private person. I have also always felt the need to tell our story; a deep need to have our life known which is a stark contrast I have struggled with. Over my thirty years of life, I've experienced things that some believe to only find in western novels...

Riding across the dew-covered sage her gaze scanned the hills and draws. Not long ago Indians and bison once roamed this area. A sight, she was sure, to behold. She lifted her eyes to the horizon and saw the first bunch of cows lazily picking grass amongst the sage. The young bay mare below her flipped her head in anticipation of the day ahead and they rode on...

The life my family and I lead is one to be told and it's a story that started many generations before me. It needs to be known which makes me compelled even more to tell it.

I can remember the giddy anticipation, and if I'm being honest, the worry, as we waited to watch the 60 Minutes segment on The Green River Drift. My family's heritage, livelihood, and that of good friends and neighbors were out for all the world to see. Not only see but have an opinion on. Both good and bad. I'm no stranger to the good and bad opinions of others when it comes to animal agriculture, but the voice in the back of my mind was ultra-aware of what was possible. There was no doubt the bad ones would have a little extra sting this time around. We watched with excitement, laughing and joking about our cinematic debut.

Well over a year ago we were given this opportunity, so we were eager to see how it turned out. Many calls, emails, scheduled visits, and ultimately a few days spent together with their kind producers and staff had led to this. I sighed with relief, thankful for how the segment turned out. It was beautiful, factual and a memory I will cherish.

Later that night my husband and I read comments from friends and family on social media and replied to text messages. In our small part of the world, we were famous and joked about having all our new followers call our agent to schedule our appearances. Which like any good ranch wife, I would probably have to take care of. I also felt a little bit of responsibility to know what our online followers were saying and I told myself, "Don't read the comments." Well, I didn't take my own, good advice and read the comments.

As I said, I feel the need to fight for our industry, the people, and our heritage, but this hit closer to home. It wasn't just a group of people, but it was my family and ME these people had an opinion on. Throughout my time at the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, I knew that some people could never be swayed no matter how much factual information you pushed their way. They had their opinion formed without knowing the entire story, but I think we all have that problem truthfully. I was armed to fight against those who said cruel and untruthful things about us, but in the end, I couldn't do it. At least not at that moment. Where would I start once the comments came filing in? Did I have the gumption and the thick skin needed to let these cruel things roll off my back?

I haven't yet, but I'm working on it slowly. Just like gathering a large allotment, you make a plan, call up your best help and pick a good mount to take on the task.

You see the price of speaking up has led to people questioning our place here. On public lands, how we treat our animals and informing us we better sign up for a rodeo camp next summer. The last one made me giggle a bit. I have no doubt those kids can rope better than me so I suppose there's room to learn! Most of these comments had me scratching my head or cringing. Some of the things written would definitely not be said aloud. Welcome to the comment section...

A few ladies I follow on Instagram have felt the same calling but also the little voice asking if we are making a difference too. It's hard standing up for anything because there will always be someone against you. And when it seems the masses are against you it really does make you wonder,

"Can anyone hear me?"

After the dust has settled a bit, I think they can. If you listen hard enough you can hear the people rooting us on and the ones who got to know us a bit better. That gave me the extra resolve I needed. The price of telling our story has led us to talk to new people who not only enjoyed our lifestyle but wanted to get to know us better. To me, that's huge! There's no better way to learn about our way of life and I thank them for reaching out.

I hope you can find that resolve to tell your story because it wasn't easy but so very worth it. And like a great friend and wise man once told me, "If you aren't at the table, you're on the menu." So let's get to it.