Listening Is Advocacy

BJ Stacio

In this new year, let us commit to listening more—

not just to respond, not just to defend our positions,

but to truly understand the lived experiences of others.

Listening is an act of advocacy.

It is how we begin to dismantle systems that silence,

ignore, or overlook the voices of those most impacted.

Let us listen to people with disabilities,

to marginalized communities,

to those who have been spoken about but not spoken with.

Let us listen beyond policies and programs

and hear the humanity behind every story.

Because advocacy without listening

risks becoming performative instead of transformative.

In this new year, let us honor the humanity in all people—

not as a talking point, but as a practice.

Honor it in how we design systems,

how we write policies,

how we provide services,

and how we show up in everyday moments.

True advocacy does not seek to “fix” people;

it seeks to remove barriers and restore dignity.

Let us remember that every person

is more than a diagnosis, a label, or a statistic.

Every life holds value.

Every voice deserves space.

Every experience carries truth.

When we honor humanity, we move from control to collaboration,

from charity to justice,

from silence to solidarity.

May this year be marked by deeper listening,

braver conversations,

and advocacy rooted in respect and humility.

Because when we listen with intention

and lead with humanity,

we do more than create change—

we create belonging.

BJ Stasio is a passionate and dedicated advocate for the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Based in Buffalo, New York, BJ has been actively involved in advocacy and leadership for over 20 years.

To learn more about BJ, visit https://www.bjstasio.com