My Motives Are Not Your Motives

A dog barks when it's afraid.

Most humans see the barking dog as aggressive.

I am that dog.

A few humans understand the dog.

And understand that it is not aggressive, but afraid.

Unfortunately my family are not amongst those few.

But fortunately my partner is.

My motives are fairness, equality and justice.

I go out of my way to help others.

Your motives seem to be judgement, selfishness and malice.

You assume my motives are the same as yours, but they are the opposite.

So you jump to the wrong conclusions and protect yourself, despite others' feelings.

My motives are not yours, and for that I am glad.

And when you treat me unfairly, unequally and unjustly,

I bark.