“Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible.”
—-Maya Angelou
I am very aware that thousands of people read my blog each week, and I choose my words carefully. I can share my thoughts without battering you into thinking my way. I firmly believe that there are two sides to every debate, more than one path to every destination and several ways to solve any problem, and I rarely presume to tell you I am 100% right about anything.
I am 100% right about one thing though...I deserve no less...or no more...than my neighbor. No matter what we believe, what we look like and who we love, we deserve the rights and respect afforded to all people. If you truly believe that you are superior to someone and deserve better treatment because of your race, religion or sexual preference, then perhaps it is your soul that needs tending.
June is Gay Pride month. I will celebrate it, but part of me is less than joyful. I hate that it is still necessary for us to celebrate this perceived difference in us. The simple difference between a heterosexual person and a homosexual person is whom they love which never seemed like much of a difference to me. It seems odd that if I love someone with eyes the same shade as mine that is acceptable, and if I date someone whose hair is as curly as mine that is acceptable, but if I date someone with similar genitals a section of our population takes exception. In fact, a small but extreme group of people would wish me harm.
It is mind boggling to me why anyone would care who their neighbors chose to love, live with, raise children with and/or have sex with, when there are so many more important things that should be occupying their thoughts. I realize that there is a religious component to much of the hatred of the LGBTQ community, and that is the most confusing thing of all. “Love thy neighbor” “Do unto others” The Bible teaches tolerance and love for all and makes no exceptions. I feel that if there is indeed a judgment day awaiting us, it is those who were the most unkind to people different then themselves who have the most to fear. There should be room in all of our hearts to allow those around us to live their own truths.
Yes, I will celebrate Gay Pride month. I will do so by re-emphasizing the immense pride that I have for the young people in my family, in my group of friends and in my former classrooms who had the bravery to share their truths with the world around them. I know it was difficult for some of you, but PLEASE KNOW THIS. Those who choose not to accept you are the true disappointments. I promise you that the world is much more accepting than it used to be, and we will keep on keeping on so maybe ALL of your children will find the acceptance you fought so hard to achieve. Happy Gay Pride month. I love you all.
The 18th Abduction (Women's Murder Club) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro is an exciting addition to my favorite Patterson series.
As always a complete review of this book follows my blog.
Happy reading,
- Beverly
—-Maya Angelou
I am very aware that thousands of people read my blog each week, and I choose my words carefully. I can share my thoughts without battering you into thinking my way. I firmly believe that there are two sides to every debate, more than one path to every destination and several ways to solve any problem, and I rarely presume to tell you I am 100% right about anything.
I am 100% right about one thing though...I deserve no less...or no more...than my neighbor. No matter what we believe, what we look like and who we love, we deserve the rights and respect afforded to all people. If you truly believe that you are superior to someone and deserve better treatment because of your race, religion or sexual preference, then perhaps it is your soul that needs tending.
June is Gay Pride month. I will celebrate it, but part of me is less than joyful. I hate that it is still necessary for us to celebrate this perceived difference in us. The simple difference between a heterosexual person and a homosexual person is whom they love which never seemed like much of a difference to me. It seems odd that if I love someone with eyes the same shade as mine that is acceptable, and if I date someone whose hair is as curly as mine that is acceptable, but if I date someone with similar genitals a section of our population takes exception. In fact, a small but extreme group of people would wish me harm.
It is mind boggling to me why anyone would care who their neighbors chose to love, live with, raise children with and/or have sex with, when there are so many more important things that should be occupying their thoughts. I realize that there is a religious component to much of the hatred of the LGBTQ community, and that is the most confusing thing of all. “Love thy neighbor” “Do unto others” The Bible teaches tolerance and love for all and makes no exceptions. I feel that if there is indeed a judgment day awaiting us, it is those who were the most unkind to people different then themselves who have the most to fear. There should be room in all of our hearts to allow those around us to live their own truths.
Yes, I will celebrate Gay Pride month. I will do so by re-emphasizing the immense pride that I have for the young people in my family, in my group of friends and in my former classrooms who had the bravery to share their truths with the world around them. I know it was difficult for some of you, but PLEASE KNOW THIS. Those who choose not to accept you are the true disappointments. I promise you that the world is much more accepting than it used to be, and we will keep on keeping on so maybe ALL of your children will find the acceptance you fought so hard to achieve. Happy Gay Pride month. I love you all.
The 18th Abduction (Women's Murder Club) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro is an exciting addition to my favorite Patterson series.
As always a complete review of this book follows my blog.
Happy reading,
- Beverly
Click on the book cover to order the title mentioned in today's blog
