By Dr. David Rex Orgen, Best-Selling Author and International Mental Health Expert

I am a man who has walked through the highs and lows of life with one truth etched deep in my heart: dignity is not negotiable. No one can trade it, bargain it away, or diminish it unless we allow them.

I say this not just as a mental health expert who has sat with countless people wrestling with brokenness but as an African man who stands proudly in his identity, his culture, and his calling. Too often, the world tries to measure our worth in currency, titles, or applause. Yet the essence of dignity is far greater. It is the God-given imprint of value upon every human soul.

Scripture reminds us, “What is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:4–5). To be crowned with glory and honor is to carry dignity from birth. I carry that dignity visibly in the dark color of my skin and audibly in the accent of my voice—an accent so beautiful that people often pause and ask, “Where are you from?”

These are not burdens; they are blessings. They are living proof of my heritage, my journey, and my roots. I will never apologize for them. They are symbols of Africa’s resilience, creativity, and unshakable spirit. I speak plainly: dignity is not a reward handed out by systems or societies. It is not dependent on who recognizes you or what position you hold. It is intrinsic. And because it is intrinsic, I refuse to let anyone—through injustice, prejudice, or neglect—strip me of it.

The day we learn to walk with dignity as a daily garment, not as a fragile accessory, is the day we transform not only ourselves but the generations after us. When I stand in dignity, I remind my children, my people, and the world that they, too, are worthy, valued, and seen.

So let this truth echo far beyond my voice: dignity is not negotiable. It is eternal. It is visible in our skin, audible in our accents, and living in our hearts. Stand tall, speak boldly, and honor the worth that no one can take away.

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