For better or worse, as a result of the career I have chosen, I am blessed to have a voice, a platform, and an audience. All of us, whether we have a voice and a platform or not, have a responsibility to speak up in these pivotal times, because we have a chance to make history. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.” Our responsibility now is to ensure that this famous quote is never relevant again—starting now. Martin Luther King again: “I agree with Dante, that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality. There comes a time when silence becomes betrayal.”
On my recent “Inspiration in the Cloud” weekly Zoom call, I began by asking everyone to pause for a moment of silence to honor all of our brothers and sisters in America, their grief and pain, their sacrifices and contributions, and to pray that, at long last, the oppression of minorities, especially people of color, but all marginalized people, will be undertood by us all, that they will be treated with dignity and equality, and honored for who they are—sacred beings.
Less that half of black Americans are employed; black Americans are dying from Covid-19 at three times the rate of white Americans; proportionally, 10 times more black Americans are behind bars compared to white Americans….and the list of inequities goes on.
We’ve been here many times before in history, hoping that a tragedy would become the tipping point for a more just society, and we have failed just as many times before too. George Floyd’s six-year-old daughter, Gianna, said, “My Daddy changed the world.” Let’s do everything in our power to make those words from an innocent become true. Let’s use our voices this time—LOUDER THAN EVER— to speak truth to power, especially at the ballot box, but also everywhere else humanly possible.
How will you make a difference today? Do you have the necessary courage to make your voice heard? How will you use your voice to influence change? Beyond reading your newsfeed and signing online petitions, where will you direct your voice so that it has impact, and directly influences a positive outcome?
As the Hopi elder saying goes, “We are the ones we have been waiting for”.
You have a great liberating voice Lance! Keep using your good gift.
WE HAVE A DREAM
We are all hyphenated-Americans, in effect coming here from somewhere else, excepting for “Native” Americans. African-Americans were the ONLY ’’immigrants” coming to the US as slaves, and who lived and struggled with that dehumanizing, debilitating legacy for centuries — a deliberate, designed, cold, cruel, calculating, selfish, degrading sort of leprosy assigned to precious black skin by white slave “owners”. Such is the harsh, horrible ‘inconvenient truth’, whether we face it or not.
America I hate you. America I love you. American I am an inseparable part of you. May we all work together toward the possible-impossible Dream of one land of fairness, equity, equality, and with liberty and justice for ALL — especially all people of color and all who are marginalized.
Yes: Let us speak truth to power, everywhere possible, including the ballot box.
Yes: “We are the ones we have been waiting for.” — Hopi Elder Saying
Yes.
Yes we can.
ron bell
6-8-20
Brilliantly and poetically written Ron. Thank you for your impassioned voice of inclusion!
Remember too, that this was a murder – a 21st century lynching. To those who agree that we need to raise our voices high, we should also encourage and respect the voice of the protestors who raise their voices the loudest. The murder of another Black man who did nothing more than be born of color. How do you express your anger and outrage when you have no voice? How do you approach the road to meaningful elimination of systemic racism when it is guarded by the guns and rhetoric of white power, unwilling to yield? How does this America so quickly turn against the protestors who live with fear of lynching everyday, who have no voice, no hope and no way to change the future, attempt to heal itself? This america needs to be rocked in its shoes.
Wow! Now that isn a powerful statement, Stewart! Thank you for raising your voice!
George Floyd became the catalyst for world change, and as you mentioned, the years and years of oppression and hatred did as well.
This morning during my silent meditation something unexpected happened. I was told to look at the inner pattern of superiority. Look at where both personally and collectively have I seen judgement of others, therefore, I am better than them. It is deep in both the personal and the collective psyche. “Our country is the best, my religion is superior to yours, women in the workforce doing the same job as a man is often, not always paid less”, etc. It is all part of the same pattern of being superior. I was told as I have been before from within, that I need to bring that pattern to the Light of consciousness, without judgement and let the Unconditioned Love dissolve it. Because sometimes these patterns are so deep and highly charged that all I can do is decide that I don’t want to give my power over to them. That I want inner freedom and Love to govern my life, so that I create from a clear consciousness. Then I am able to move forward from the Soul’s guidance and not out of anger, fear or the patterns within duality.
Oh, this is so true, Eileen – for all of us. As the Buddhist sayong goes, “I am that!”.
How will I make a difference today? I will seek out services from minority entrepreneurs. I will learn more about organizations like Innovate Inclusion who are advocating for the economic success of underrepresented tech talent and entrepreneurs in Ontario.
That’s terrific, Michelle – you will make a difference – and I know that for sure, knowing who you are! 🙂