My Darling Children,
I do not consider myself a political scholar, or even possessing extensive political knowledge. I cannot relate to all the woes of the world – because I am only one person. I only know what it is like to be me – a white woman in trying times. Times that will test us, bring us to our knees. I cannot speak for the minorities or the masses. I can only speak for myself – and as your mother – I must speak up for your future.
When I brought you into this world, I had one job, albeit the hardest job I’ll ever know, but one job – to give you life, teach you how to fly, and then let you go. The ultimate job as a parent is to let you go, but the most important stage is how I teach you to fly. My highest goal is to raise you to be decent, loving, humble human beings. And that is why we march – for you my darlings.
Women are objectified and offered lower wages. Muslims are scorned and live in fear. Gays are afraid to tell their friends and family about who they love. Children starve in our streets. Women are brutally raped. Foreigners are jeered. Schools are no longer safe houses. Places of worship no longer offer refuge.
What these people have endured is unfathomable. It makes my heart hurt just teetering on the idea of what they have experienced. Sometimes we don’t realize how lucky we are to tuck our children in bed and know that they are safe. Safety isn’t a luxury enjoyed by all.
I will not deny that racism, sexism, xenophobia, and homophobia exist – to deny such things is ignorance. We could also deny that the sun will come up tomorrow, but it too shall rise. That’s the thing about this world, it keeps turning, keeps moving even if we decide to sit still. Our bodies will make another lap around the sun, but yet because we refuse to accept and cultivate change, we are left exactly as we were before. The world, however, is completely different.
We cannot solve the problems of the world in one march, in one day, in one year – but then again that was never our job. The world will keep moving, and bad will keep happening – all we can do, must do, is fight against one wrong, stand up for one oppressed, stand against one inequality. Join hands with our sisters and brothers fighting together with peace and love. The ripple effect will be so profound, even the biggest bigot will not be able to stand up against them.
So, march my children. March today. March tomorrow. March until your feet hurt and your back aches. Then march some more. The road to social equality won’t be easy, but we must stand together in solidarity. In love. We must keep moving, while the world keeps turning.
This is the time to rise above. To educate. To cultivate. To accept. To work together. In the words of President Obama, “But the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all and not just some.”
We must work together to create a world that embraces and celebrates different religions, races, genders, sexualities, and economic classes. A world that is so bright, darkness is afraid to rear its ugly head. A world that is safe from persecution. One that embraces with open arms the disparaged, the broken, building them back up with hope and dignity. After all, a nation is only as strong as its weakest link.
As your mother – it is my job to try harder to do right by you. We have to rise above comfort zones, gender roles, and stereotypes. The best part, yet the most confounding part, is that the essence of the whole ordeal isn’t that hard to achieve. We simply have to love each other for who we are. That’s it. Love and accept each other.
I may be an idealist, a dreamer, but I’m damn sure I’m not the only one. And you, my sweet children, you too will dream dreams as big as mountains. You will overcome these mountains because you will walk hand and hand with others building them up as they hold up you. A foundation rooted in love and acceptance. One that will not waver under the most strenuous pressure. You will cross the divide, conquer the evil. You, and all the little children, will change the world.
“Yes We Can
Yes We Did
Yes We Can”
Love Better. Be Better.
Source: LA Times
Photo Credit: Carrie Michelle Photography
