Panel 1
A potted plant droops, it’s leaves are withering and parts are turning brown.
Text: Did you know it’s hard to kill a plant?
Panel 2
The narrator appears, holding the plant. They are a genderqueer trans person with red hair, named Justin.
Justin: Just because it looks shabby doesn’t mean it can’t be brought back!
Panel 3
Justin looks immensely guilty. Arrows from all around point to him, each reading “this one,” “them,” and “right here.”
Justin: A lot of people think they’re plant killers.
Panel 4
The potted plant looks much worse for ware, but especially because it’s been tossed into a garbage can.
Text: But they only really die when you decide they can’t make it.
Panel 5
Justin beams, happily.
Justin: I’m all about self-love!
Panel 6
Justin then looks doubtful, as if remembering something.
Justin: But…
Panel 7
Justin’s pose becomes constricted; they appear uncomfortable.
Justin: …how do you love yourself if you’ve been a bad person?
Panel 8
Justin’s discomfort raises immensely as an amorphous form with text grabs them from behind.
Justin: Right now I’m trying to be good.
Text: But I’m haunted by things I’ve done.
Panel 9
Justin, age six, runs past a cisgender black girl while simultaneously fat shaming her.
Text: 1996
Justin: “Out of my way, FATzilla!”
Panel 10
Justin, age eleven, jeers playfully making “jokes” of a racist nature while seated among family at a table in a restaurant. Their cousin Shira stares in annoyed disbelief.
Text: 1999
Justin: “Don’t talk to him, he’s Chinese!”
Panel 11
Justin, age sixteen, grins and regurgitates sexist put-downs for the amusement of a friend. They are thoroughly enjoying their own crass attitude.
Text: 2004
Justin:“What a dumb fucking bitch!”
Panel 12
Justin, age 22, speaking to someone out-of-panel describes someone they find annoying with ableist language.
Text: 2010
Justin: “He’s so lame! What a spaz!”
Panel 13
Justin, age 24, is in a leaning on a mop handle, casually speaking to someone off-panel, complaining about other queer people using homophobic slurs.
Text: 2012
Justin: “I hate those sloppy fags. Grow up!”
Panel 14
Justin, age 27, looks to the side addressing someone off-panel, they use a sexist insult typically designated for cisgender men.
Text: 2016!
Justin: “Don’t go. It’s just gonna be a bunch of gross neckbeards.”
Panel 15
Justin, back to the present moment, looks ashamed.
Justin: So you see, self love isn’t easy for me.
Panel 16
Justin looks up, still ashamed, addressing the reader.
Justin: I’ve hurt people.
Panel 17
Justin moves their hands as though referring to a separate group of people, horrified with the consequences of poor behavior.
Justin: I’ve enabled others to hurt people.
Panel 18
Justin hands are now behind their back, in a defeated posture. They look repulsed.
Justin: I’ve ruined friendships.
Text: How am I supposed to love that?
Panel 19
Justin looks up, their face no longer entirely upset.
Justin: But there’s a choice.
Panel 20
Justin uses their hands again to demonstrate two possibilities.
Justin: I can step forward, or I can stand still.
Panel 21
Once again we see the image of the potted plant, looking worse for ware.
Text: In other words – I can do nothing and let this plant rot?
text: Or I can try to make it right again.
Panel 22
A different potted plant, an Amaryllis, looks nice and green with a sturdy stem. It has a cute little face, which smiles contentedly.
Text: Healthy plants don’t just magically stay healthy.
Panel 23
Different necessities float over the potted plant: “water, sunlight, good soil, music(?)” The plant continues to smile.
Text: You have to nurture them.
Panel 24
The flower is tied gently to a piece of bamboo so that it the weight of the stem doesn’t overwhelm the plant. The plant has a relieved smile.
Text: Protect them!
Panel 25
A completely different potted plant, a cactus, sits in its pot. It also has a face, which has an annoyed, stuck-up expression, as though it prefers to be alone.
Text: Sometimes you have to leave them alone!
Text: I know that I’ve been an abusive person.
Panel 26
Justin appears humble.
Justin: Facing up to that has been a huge challenge. And if feels like I slip up. A lot.
Text: But slipping up when you’re trying to improve is different!
Panel 27
Justin brightens up, thinking about the nature of those slip ups.
Justin: I don’t enjoy making mistakes. But they help correct my behavior!
Text: I can learn, I can grow, I can teach, I can change.
Panel 28
Justin addresses the reader seriously with hope.
Justin: All of us can! The difference is…?
Panel 31
Justin beams, proud of the new decisions they’ve been making.
Justin: …these days? I love changing!
***
Text: This comic is dedicated with gratitude and admiration to Mr. Faison. Justin Hubbell is a cartoonist and super nerd. Support them at patreon.com/justinhubbell or justinhubbell.com
