End Discrimination

When I was little I witnessed so much prejudice during the short period we lived in the South.  I can remember the "Whites Only" signs and the separate drinking fountains and I remember all the hateful things that were broadcast on television.  Most of the obvious prejudice was racial.  Later I became aware of the prejudice that existed based on sex and age and of course the big one (in this country):  prejudice based on sexual orientation.

 

There are some people who think that such discrimination has ended.  How wrong they are!  While there are indeed better protections under the law, and while many attitudes have gotten better, it is still perfectly acceptable to hate and I have been seeing so many examples of it online and in the news these past few days.

 

Will it EVER end?  We have the power!  We can make things better.  Why do we tolerate so much hate speech?  Why do we remain silent when people are discriminated against right in our midst?  If we all spoke up and if we all decided to say No!  to discrimination, it would end immediately.  Do we really want a world of hate?

 

What do YOU think?

We all need hope

Yesterday was the birthday of the late Harvey Milk and at a celebration of his life on Sunday, a group of people read his "Hope" speech that I have quoted here before.  I noticed a number of people posted that entire speech various places online.  The oft quoted line from his speech is "you have to give people hope."  Indeed.

 

I'm not sure how many of you remember the great actor and comedian Bob Hope.  I'm not going to say that life without his humor is Hope-less.  His performances endure even today.  The comedian was not born with that name though and one reason for the name change (I have no idea if this is true or just a clever bit on his part) was that since he was Leslie Hope, when listed alphabetically with his last name first, the way they always do in school, he was Hope, Les.  Nobody wants to be hopeless!

 

We all need hope.  Every one of us.  What gives you hope?  Are there people who inspire you and urge you on?  Do certain events or organizations bring you hope?  Tell us about it.  I'd love to see your comments below.

Up in the clouds: The Story of Zach Sobiech

Zach Sobiech left his mark on this world of ours.  Zach Sobiech was an inspiration.  Zach Sobiech didn't get to live a long life, but he sure made good use of the time he had! 

You may have already seen stories about Zach and perhaps have heard his music.  What you did not know before though was that Zach was an incredible inspiration to me, even though we never met. In the past two months I listened to his youtube videos even more than when I first heard of him. Zach was slowly dying of cancer (specifically osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer). It was cancer that brought about my mother's death just two months ago. Zach bravely battled but last May was told that he likely had months to a year to live. The news did not cause him to retreat or to give up living. Zach got more and more into his music, and that is how I first heard about him.  I especially love his Clouds video.

Although his hair would come out in clumps and the chemo had to have been dragging him down, Zach continued to write and perform music and became an internet sensation. Zach released two albums, performed with some of today’s finest musicians, and raised a lot of money and awareness for osteosarcoma research. That money can continue to come in, as a memorial to Zach. His fight was fierce, but this week he lost that battle. Zach Sobiech passed away at the young age of eighteen, but not before leaving a mark that will certainly live on.

I only knew Zach through the newspaper reports, and the stories I saw on tv (one on CNN that was very detailed and showed a young talented man of great courage), and the internet buzz surrounding his fine music. I'm glad I had a chance to see him though. He taught me a lot. I had never known of osteosarcoma before, so that was a good lesson. I had never seen such a brave and talented person work so hard to make a difference! I do hope you will check out some of his performances. You can click HERE for his Clouds video and also click HERE to see him perform with his band.

Oh and one more thing - Zach would really like this - share the story. Let others know about osteosarcoma and about the brave teen who battled it, and in his memory, make a donation to wipe it out! Click HERE to go to the secure fundraising page for the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund.

What a great inspiration you were Zach and I have no doubt we will see you again, up in the clouds.

Oklahoma heroes

The horrific news from Oklahoma yesterday was both heartbreaking and frightening and the morning after we are seeing just how bad it was.  Estimated to be at least two miles wide at one point, a tornado struck the town of Moore, just south of Oklahoma City, tearing homes apart and other buildings and causing significant and widespread damage, serious injuries, and a large number of fatalities.  The death toll continues to climb this morning.

There were instances of people taking advantage of the misfortune of others.  This kind of thing often happens.  There has also been arguing on social media about the state's US Senators and their lack of support for hurricane Sandy victims.  There has also been something we often find in tragedy - heroes - people rising to the occasion to do good.

It's always sad when folks take advantage of others, but it warms my heart to see the opposite.  Almost immediately there were grass roots efforts to help the victims.  People in Oklahoma who were spared, have been reaching out to those in need.  People have also been reaching out all over the country to offer help.  President Obama's press conference just a little while ago, told of the federal response to the recovery effort going on in Oklahoma. The American Red Cross is of course on scene and they are always a good place to donate in times like these.  The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma has also set up a relief and assistance program.  I urge you to donate through known sources like these where you know your money is going to be put to good use.

I'm hearing wonderful stories of heroes right in the thick of things too.  We'll likely hear more. NBC News reported last night that a car had been pulled off the body of a teacher.  Several students were under her.  She had been shielding them with her body in a restroom to protect as winds gusted up to 200 mph.  The teacher and the students survived.

Knowing how many are reaching out to help - Seeing the brave people who risked their own safety to help others - Looking beyond the destruction and beholding the heroes in our midst, that makes this horror so much easier to bear.  You too can be a hero of this disaster.  Donate or volunteer.  It all helps!

In the midst of life

Just a little while ago, I received the sad news that (apparently about two weeks ago) William Gaines Swanson died in a diving accident in San Francisco Bay. William was a professional diver, but most who knew him will think of him for his ministry within the Episcopal Church and for his dedication to social justice. Although he lived in a wealthier part of the Bay Area, he and his wife Helene were much more comfortable feeding the homeless out in a park or setting up programs for Katrina's Dream, a nonprofit that the couple set up along with his father, and which honors his mother, The Reverend Katrina Swanson, one of the very first women to be ordained to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. 

William was not someone I knew terribly well.  I have been connected to both he and Helene and The Reverend George Swanson (also a priest, and William's father), via social media.  It was  his parents Katrina and George though who first reached out to me years ago when I established an internet presence for lgbt Anglicans.  George continued to stay in touch with me after dear Katrina lost her battle with colon cancer.  More recently I finally got to meet their dear son William in person and see the great love he had and the wonderful excitement for giving back, that filled his life. 

As I said, I did not know William well, but if ever there was a posterboy for this blog, it would really have to be William Swanson.  The example of his life is the kind of thing I write about here every day.  I am saddened by the news of his passing, and my love and prayers go out to his wife and his father.  In the midst of life - the midst of doing wonderful things, our plans sometimes are halted.  None of us knows how long we will be here.  We should each try to do the best we can and to make a difference in this world of ours.  William Swanson worked very hard to change this world.  William loved.  So much of William's energy was spent creating a better place for us all. I am blessed that William Swanson came my way.

In the midst of life we are in death:

of whom may we seek for succour,

but of thee, O Lord,

who for our sins art justly displeased?

Yet, O Lord God most holy,

O Lord most mighty,

O holy and most merciful Saviour,

deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.

See the pyramids

Mom and I would walk around The City and it seemed everywhere we went downtown, we saw the iconic Transamerica Pyramid San Francisco's tallest building. (The building does not house the headquarters of the Transamerica Corporation, by the way.  It once did and it is depicted in the company's logo). When the Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company structure was finished back in 1972 it was was one of the tallest buildings in the world. 

Okay, but why did I venture down to a Montgomery Street landmark to begin my Sunday?  Joy.  Yup.  In a word:  joy.  No, the building does not bring me joy, but the memories of walking around with Mom, on many different occasions, does bring me joy.  I remember singing that line from "You Belong to Me," that classic ballad sung by Patsy Cline.

See the pyramids along the Nile.

It doesn't have to be a huge event.  This afternoon I have plans for a couple of small things.  I'm sure there will be joy in them as well.  Joy can come from memories or from doing new things.  Be joyful today!  See the pyramids!

Chocolate bullets

Out of the mouths of babes, they sometimes say.  Indeed!  Kids so often get it blessedly right and I am so happy to be able to tell you about a young man who received this note from the Vice President of the United States.

The youngster is a second grade student at Downtown Montessori Academy in Milwaukee, and his letter to Vice President Biden told of a simple idea for making the world safer, chocolate bullets, so no one would get hurt.

Mr. Biden's handwritten response arrived in the mail and seemed to be in agreement with the student. "People love chocolate," wrote Mr Biden. "You are a good boy."

Perhaps we should spent more time listening to the children!