Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Equality Anniversaries

Monday was Women's Equality Day - the 93rd anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving women the right to vote.  We still have a long way to go, but we have come so far.

Today is the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963, which led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  Given the way the Supreme Court weakened the Voting Rights Act this summer, it is chilling how much we still have left to do to protect equality in this nation, no matter who is president.

Yesterday, I noticed the Girl wearing two strands of beads that a friend of mine made on a night (1990? 1991? 1992? When was that, Tish?)  that we students - all starstruck - spent listening to Martin Luther King III speak about peace at the University of North Texas, then going to have dinner with him and his bodyguards at the Kettle.  

We never realize when we are young how permanent the struggles for peace and justice are, do we? 

Today, I pray that all people can live in peace and equality together.

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