And now, a word from the BBC:
Pride Month: What is it and why do people celebrate it?, Newsround, a BBC children’s news program.
The video is one minute and twenty seven minutes long and is completely suitable for its target audience - - children from ages 5 - 15. It probably doesn’t say anything you haven’t heard before but there was one phrase that leapt out at me.
…and how, in some places, around the world, there's still a lot of work to be done.
I felt a chill run through me as I realized: that’s us. That’s the US. One presidential election has turned our nation from progress and acceptance to rejection and oppression. Our national government is trying to force us to become more hateful and more intolerant.
That is what it truly means to be a backward nation. Ignorant. Oppressive. Violent towards those who differ from a narrow definition of what has been deemed acceptable.
How many U.S. networks that produce children’s programming will be brave enough this year to make a video like this one from BBC Newsround? Or will they remain silent out of fear?
Is that what we want to be in Howard County? Will we become silent out of fear?
Tomorrow there will be a flag raising in honor of Pride at the George Howard Building in Ellicott City.
I realize that eleven am on a work day is not an ideal time for anyone who works or is in school. (I actually have a doctor’s appointment that conflicts with this.)
But, if you are able, I’d encourage you to come. Any time we push back against oppression, stand up to organized fear, and, most of all, speak up for love, we make our community stronger.
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