Monday, January 19, 2009

I Have A Dream, Too


"And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

This is the far reaching vision that one brave man, who agreed to be the voice of Spirit, shared with the world in 1963. Over 40 years later and we're still toiling to make it reality. If you wonder why we have men and women in uniform all over the globe. If you wonder why our warriors, so very young, shoulder the burden. If you wonder why families must nervously wait and pray. If you ever wonder...ever question the rightness of it all...this is why.

When we think of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., it's generally in terms of race relations and his front-running efforts to resolve racial inequity in our country. Tomorrow's inauguration of the first black American is a miraculous exclamation point to Rev. King's dedication and vision. So much has been achieved. So many have cried in pain and heartache to see us move in the correct direction. So many, including this brave man, have given their life to the call.

But, not just in the United States. Freedom must exist for all of us on Earth. For, if it is not available for everyone, then none of us will have it. And, to those who have been shown the correct ways, the toil and challenge to bring them into reality falls as well. A prophet can't just have a vision, a true prophet must begin the work to make it real. So, we go to the dark corners where freedom does not exist and people suffer. We bring a new way of thinking and being. We toil. We sweat. We bleed. We rejoice when our efforts take hold.

There is so much more that needs to be done. "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal," is a rousing part of the same speech. And, while most would consider that it's still addressing the issue of race relations, I would suggest that we look at this in term of inequality that still exists between the sexes. As a woman, I have a dream, too.

So long as women and men are not treated the same in the work place...so long as women continue to be be paid 70 cents to every dollar a man is paid for the same work...so long as women do not share pay equity, a subtle form of slavery continues. Women who are the solo captains of family vessels will not be able to provide. Single women will struggle more than is necessary. The world will not move forward as it is meant to move. It's time for us to remember that equality still does not exist in all facets.

So long as we do not honor our female energy as much as we honor the male energy...we remain unbalanced and in conflict.

Tomorrow, as we witness the dream of many being realized by President Obama's swearing in as our new leader...remember the work that must continue. And, rekindle your hopes and dreams of a correct, balanced, and equal America. Today, and all days, remember our warriors who hear the challenge of the dream whether home or abroad, understand the justice of bringing it into being, the price that may be asked, and respond.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly

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