07/02/2024
My Path to Social Action
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
I believe there have never been more divinely inspired words, written by man. I still get that fuzzy feeling deep inside, when I hear those words. Even, I as write this.
I drank the Kool-Aid. It was good.
Eric Garner, July 17, 2014. Michael Brown, August 9, 2014. Tamir Rice, November 9, 2014. Eric Harris, April 2, 2015. Walter Scott, April 4, 2015. Freddie Gray, April 12, 2015. Alton Sterling, July 5, 2016. Philando Castile, July 6, 2016. All, black men. All, dead at the hands of police. There were too many before them, and too many since them.
Colin Kaepernick, August 26, 2016. Sits on the bench of the Packers-49ers presentation game during the National Anthem, as a protest. He says he sat out because the country “oppresses black people and people of color.” September 1, 2016, Colin Kaepernick “Kneels” for the first time, as a protest. He also donates $1 Million to organizations supporting his causes. On January 1, 2017, Colin Kaepernick plays his final NFL game.
I heard what Colin Kaepernick was saying. I heard him! I heard him, and I knew he was telling the truth! I watch the news. I read the media. I see the headlines. Why didn’t people hear him? What about his free speech?
I was surprised by the reaction. Shocked really. Shocked by the politicians, shocked by the media, and shocked by some of my friends. The flag is just cloth. What it represents, that is what is important. That is the point of it.
…with liberty and justice for all!
In the history of the mankind, has ANYONE, EVER got down on their knee to disparaged someone? To show them disrespect? To show them contempt? No! Never! People take a knee when they are humble. You take a knee when you are asking for forgiveness. You take a knee when you ask someone to marry you. You take a knee when you are addressing your god in prayer. Taking a knee is not a belligerent act.
Unless of course, it is the police taking a knee to a black man’s neck!
What can I do? I have to do something. These are my neighbors, members of my community. Just because they were killed in different towns across the country, does not change the fact that they were killed in my community! This country is my community!
Joining a protest isn’t enough. Joining a movement isn’t enough. I have to make meaningful change. I need to make meaningful change.
I spent uncounted hours about the different things that I could do. They all, in the end, seemed they would make me feel better, but not make any real change. I do not need to feel better! I need to make meaningful change! I need to see change!
With the headlines and politics of recent years. The list of groups targeted for harassment by oppressors continues to grow. Immigrants. Undocumented. Chinese. Mexicans. G**s. Transgender. Women. Homeless. Liberals. Still, the list grows. Things need to change! This is fu***ng lunacy!
The truth is, there is only one change that I can make. I can only change myself! Change, how I see people. Change, how I think about people. Change, how I treat people. Change, from inaction, to action.
For my action, I came up with the idea of countering hate speech, with love speech. Literally! I want to target groups that have been singled for harassment by oppressors, and greet them with banners and messages of love and inclusion… or “Love Speech”.
Could this make a difference? Could simply telling our neighbors that they are loved, and that our community is better, because they are a part of it?
In order to move to the next step, I need people. People that are willing to join me, and hold a sign in front of a Synagogue, saying, “We love our friends at Temple Beth Israel”, and “You are part of what make Portland Special”. Or, hold banners at a Mosque, proclaiming “We are glad that you are our neighbors!”, “This city is better, with you here!” So many opportunities, to tell people that they are loved.
Are you interested?
