Earthling Ayria
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AN EARTHLING IS BORN
🕑 Added 2020-08-03 11:55:38 +0000 UTCNEW NAME WHO DIS 😎 Hello everyone, I recently changed my username from 'gypsy_ayria' to 'earthling_ayria' on Instagram and I would love to explain to you why. Seven years ago, when I picked the word 'gypsy' I falsely associated with 'free-spirited mind', 'traveler', 'a person without roots', and since I don't have any parents in my life anymore, and I love to explore the world, I thought the word was perfect (I also loved the combination of letters.. typography nerd over here). A while back I discovered the actual meaning of the word; Roma (Gypsies) originated in the Punjab region of northern India as a nomadic people and entered Europe between the eighth and tenth centuries C.E. They were called "Gypsies" because Europeans mistakenly believed they came from Egypt. Nowadays, 'gypsy' is used as a slur and there is so much more to say about it but to make it short: I think that there's always room for improvement, I thought it was about time to change my name because I don't want to reinforce racist stereotypes of Romani people and dehumanize them. A big thank you to all Roma people who contacted me, some of you told me that the word isn't offensive to you, and for some it was. I never wanted to offend anyone and I'm deeply sorry, please forgive me my lack of knowledge. <3
And what about my new username?! Well, first of all, 'Ayria' stands for a mix of my first and my second name: (A)lexand(r)a + S(y)lv(ia) = Aryia = Ayria so I really wanted to keep this name of course :) And since activism became such a huge part of my art I was looking for a perfect word to replace 'gypsy'..
'Earthling' is inspired by the movie @earthlings and of course @earthlinged because if there is an animal rights activist whom I look up to, it's him (super educational content, you should check him out!!). I thought about a word that puts together everything I stand for and believe in and that would suit me perfectly, and I always ended up with 'earthling'.
This word represents my inner feelings, that every living creature on this planet is connected and an earthling, every living creature is special and an individual that seeks peace, freedom, and love. There are no differences than in our appearance and how our bodies are built, but other than that we’re sentient beings, we’re all the same, no one is different, better, or more special than anyone else. We’re all in this together, we all want to avoid suffering, unwanted pain, and death. We have a deeper connection to nature than we think and that we have to get more in contact with ourselves and others and accept each other to the fullest, no matter who or what they are.
‘Earthling’ stands for every individual living being on this planet, and since I'm part of the earthlings' community, I feel that I, as an earthling, have to stand up against racism, speciesism, sexism, ableism, classism, transphobia, homophobia,.. just any kind of discrimination and oppression against earthlings. We have to fight for equality, diversity, inclusion, freedom of choice and speech and spread love and compassion. By the way, living vegan is the biggest thing you can do to actively reduce suffering, exploitation, and death to the highest number of oppressed living creatures on this planet (all 'livestock' animals).
I'm really happy that I've changed my name, it feels really good. Thanks for reading :) Enjoy your day xx
Much love
Alex
