It has been an emotional
couple of weeks for me. The efforts around the Pahokee Solstice Festival came
to fruition. Pagans were able to conduct their gathering in peace and harmony despite
community concerns and a few examples of hate speech. My efforts around this
event were emotionally draining. While speaking with love and compassion to
hate was effective, internally my emotions were enraged. Hearing, face to face, the things said
about my beliefs was profoundly unsettling. This situation taught me much about how far we have yet to
go in establishing true religious freedom in this country.
Sitting along the shores of
the lake I watched the alligators, visioning them as “Water Dragons”. Each would eventually slip below the surface,
ancient, dangerous and waiting. For me they represented the nature of religious
discord, waiting, hidden, always just below the surface. They also reflected
the idea that we are engaged in an ongoing struggle, that our community must
always remain diligent, that religious hate is as ancient as these creatures
and will always exist.
Returning from the festival
I was greeted with the news that the Supreme Court had gutted the voting rights
act. Taking the position that progress has been made the court essentially
withdrew the very protections that have created the change they cited. My heart
is heavy with thoughts of what this change will mean. Conservative legislators
across the south are already engaged in manifesting laws that will cause the
voices of minority Americans to be even further marginalized. For those, like
myself, who are interested in freedom and justice for people of color it is a
sad day in America.
My personal engagement in
this struggle for equality goes all the way back to the second grade when my
school elected me to speak to the Governor of Colorado about school desegregation.
Even as a child I was interested in confronting discrimination and speaking for
equality. I am profoundly disappointed in the courts ruling.
Today, however, was a day
of joyful tears. It is not often when I shed tears of joy; Today’s ruling on
DOMA and Prop 8 had me in tears. Our nation re affirmed its commitment to the
foundational principles of equality, justice and fair treatment under the law.
Yes I celebrate for my friends in the LGBT community, but even more, I celebrate
for all minority communities, religious, racial, gender based etc. This ruling is a victory for all
Americans who are driven to uphold our nations ethic of equality.
Religious discrimination, racial
inequity and LGBT rights, each has touched me emotionally recently. For me the political is personal. The
struggle for justice continues, stirred in the very foundations of my being.The Goddess calls me to action. I
would have it no other way.
2 comments:
I'm heartbroken about the Voting Rights Act decision too--especially since I've lived in the South most of my life--but there WILL be a great big huge ginormous backlash to this. Black folks (and Jews, and Catholics, and...) were sticking up for Hispanic folks big time in Alabama when they passed a horrendous anti-immigration law a couple of years ago. The social justice folks of all stripes are nicely warmed up and ready to raise hell all over again. Needless to say we'll all be keeping our eyes out for ways to jump in and help.
Thank you for your tireless efforts Peter, you are a true champion of the people!!
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