Keeping Our Center ~ Day 111

Even without fireworks this year, people across the U.S. will be dressed in their red, white and blue, gathering with friends and family, and celebrating this nation’s 244^th Independence Day. And that is a beautiful thing. Sadly, freedom is still not experienced by everyone in this country.

Annoyingly, the concept of freedom seems to have been hijacked by those who don’t want to wear a mask. The much greater issue is that many people in this country are still not free to simply be who they are, wherever they are.

Julie reminded me of this simple fact about a week ago. You see, we’re planning a mini-vacation up to the North Kettle Moraine area for some hiking and kayaking. We rented a house in a small town up there and we were looking at the facts about the town when Julie said, “I’m not sure we should be holding hands in public there.” Now, maybe she is seeing red flags where there aren’t any, but the fact that we even have to think about it means we’re not free here, yet.

Until a black person can walk safely down any street, dressed however they want to, we are not free. Until a trans person can stand on a street corner without being afraid of being a victim of a hate crime, we are not free. Until immigrant children are not kept in cages, we are not free. Until children who are different are not bullied, we are not free. Until women are paid the same as men, and are no longer seen as sexual objects, we are not free. I’m sure you could add more.

Freedom, real freedom, recognizes the inherent worth of every human being. Until each and every person is equally respected and safe regardless of color, creed, accent, IQ, bank balance, physical ability, vehicle they drive, job they have, who they sleep with and whether they are on social security, we are not free.

Today we can celebrate what we do have, but please remember how far we have to go. In the eyes of the Divine, everyone is of sacred worth. Period.

Love & Light!

Kaye