With challenging times, it’s understandable we slip into the ease of
anniversary celebrations of heroic actions that change life and nations,
without immolating the exceptional character of those we honor – legends
known and unknown who raised the bar through sacrifice – even suffering a
bloody or fiery death.
Most often we seize and ride the dynamic splash of media hype, rather than
ingest the soulful ripple from the core of heroes, and rarely entertaining a
taste for those who prep heroism without spotlight and by candlelight,
follow in its footsteps.
With the knowledge of historically overlooked heroes our lead, we bathe in
the wisdom of those forgotten – a journey proving, most people whose faces
remain unrecognized and names seldom whispered, are at some point heroic for
some person, place or thing, they don’t even know…
Battlefields – 9/11 – Boston Marathon – Wild Fires – City Streets
Maybe Heroes, like sandwiches, come in different shapes, sizes and toppings.
So perhaps before our children learn which screen star, athlete or
neighborhood bully to hero worship, we should check the ingredients – theirs
and ours:
Though DOMA is not dead, its cemetery plot has been chosen.
A self-righteous court can never be supreme in its rulings as long as true
patriots demand for all, what they themselves already heroically possess:
* Constitutional Equal Rights for Women
* Restoration of Rights for those who’ve done the time
* Exemplary education for our children of all ages at every grade level
* Excellent salaries for teachers
* Elimination of crippling loans for those who only desire to contribute to
us what we teach each other.
What is a court ruling that slices and dices a voting act for which many
have so dearly paid?
How are we Jesus-like when asking, seeking and knocking to crush descendants
of Stonewall, Woodstock and Selma?
Without cloaking ourselves in hypocrisy, how is Independence Day celebrated
by imposing second class citizenship on those with whom we disagree?
Wouldn’t June 28th be best celebrated with an Independence Day that extends
the freedoms, justice and equality we hold so dear, to all Americans and all
they hold dear?
When we celebrate Wendy Davis, remember to cheer Leticia de Putte who gladly
took the baton and carried on.
Celebrate lives of Arizona “Hot Shots,” by cutting back trees from homes and
power lines.
When thinking Edith Windsor and Harvey Milk, think also of Thea Clara Spyer
and all those who can no longer celebrate anniversaries.
When we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., reverently acknowledge
Representative John Lewis – especially after a 5-4 skillful surgical removal
of what Congressman Lewis was nearly beaten to death to achieve.
Of course, not all members of Congress are heroes, nor all nine Supremes
skillfully dissecting what has made America exceptional since before the
first Independence Day.
Most remember giving most newcomers work, fraternity home, and eventually,
sometimes, health and educational opportunities.
In return America was enhanced and evolved into ‘The Beautiful,’ away from
senators who intimidate gridiron folks to reject Obamacare’s new green
energy, for health insurance green.
Yet, I still have a dream, that one twenty-eighth day of August we will hold
these truths to be self-evident: The Declaration of Independence is now the
Emancipation of the Equal Rights Amendment with equal voting rights &
marriage rights for all, for that’s American justice.
Then we can celebrate like heroes with Mandela forgiveness, after
non-violent Gandhi like Marches on Columbus, Ohio, Perry’s Austin,
McDonnell’s Rolex Richmond and all state capitals warring against the rights
of American women and men of every shade, color, political & sexual
persuasion and yes, religion.
Now let us march again, but heroically uniting where marching is needed —
to carry on!
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