~ Short Story ~
Jaelle Terrell
The Supreme Court ruling against LGBTQ rights is a blow. It is a setback. MSNBC reported that this decision “made millions of Americans poorer.
Remember the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.” It’s not a straight line, but it’s moving in the right direction. Sometimes it is one step forward and two steps back. Winston Churchill said, “You can always count on the Americans to do the right thing – after they’ve tried everything else.” Keep calm and carry on, children.
Throughout history, there are many stories like ours where those in power, the old regime, recognized change was coming and feared it. They tried to quell the changes that represented the end of, or certainly the diminishing of their comfortable lives. Up to and including genocide. Think of the Jews in Nazi Germany.
Thankfully, today’s society is better behaved. We aren’t there yet, but take heart, children. We will get there.
Vladimir Putin has revived an old Russian medal awarded to women who give birth to twelve children. And yes, we have heard the fundamentalists in America making similar noises. Do they realize making humans only for numbers is not the answer?
This step backward is a clarion call. Perhaps you are thinking, “What can I do? I don’t count. I’m just one little person.” It is said that the opposite of love isn’t hatred, it’s apathy. Since it seems to be a day for stealing quotes, Pastor Martin Niemoller wrote a poem that is always brilliant, but especially relevant today.
First They Came…
- First, they came for the Communists and I did not speak out
- Because I was not a Communist
- Then they came for the Socialists and I did not speak out
- Because I was not a Socialist
- Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out
- Because I was not a trade unionist
- Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out
- Because I was not a Jew
- Then they came for me and there was no one left
- To speak out for me
Today’s tired, old brigade running things has already come for the Communists, the Socialists and the Unionists. What’s left? The Jews. And me. And they are pushing. If you are in my tribe, if you are under my rainbow, if you are in my unicorn soup raise your hand. Raise your voice. Don’t be rude. Don’t break anything. But speak up. You! Yes, you. Remember, a closed mouth never gets fed. And if you are not LGBTQ, raise your hand. Speak up. You have a family member who is LGBTQ. You have a friend. A co-worker. An acquaintance.
So, my children, take heart. Take courage. Stand up and be counted. Be heard. And carry patience with you. Keep calm and carry on.
~ Jaelle Terrell
copyright©2023 Jaelle Terrell – All rights reserved
2023-07-02
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