I talked with someone today who had experienced chaos and confusion in the country of his birth.
Today he found reason for hope.
He became a citizen of the United States of America.
Early in the morning once every month I ride my bike down to San Diego’s Civic Center and join a little band of Democrats who believe in America… who believe America not only can be, but will be better. We are committed to the idea that all people who become citizens by a process of (I like this word) naturalization are instantly eligible for the rights and privileges… and responsibilities… of American citizenship, including the right to vote. The one exception is the opportunity to become president. Other than that, the entire bundle of rights and privileges of citizenship is handed to each new citizen. We are available every month at the formal “swearing in” ceremony to help new citizens register to vote. Today more than eight-hundred people were granted full American citizenship at the Civic Center ceremony in San Diego.
The occasion is always a reminder that “all” means ALL in the matter of citizenship… not more “liberty” and more “justice” for some, but “liberty and justice for all.” Anyone who is not actively working to ensure justice for all people is complicit in the subjugation of every person who suffers injustice.
3 comments:
Love these pics! How wonderful.
Mazeltov!! oz.je
Roz
Jerral, Love it! The whole mix. Send these the newly excited starstruck and energized to the tired and apathetic who have amassed on our shores and who have used buckets of privilege to douse the lamps of hope. Send them!!! Send lots more of them!!! The news in UMC circles is sickening....again. The act of charging an elder for officiating at the (same gender) marriage of his son is certainly depressing. At a clergy meeting, where reasoned timeliness was being supported as the church moves toward a more "progressive" position related to GLBT concerns, I expressed my lack of tolerance toward such "reasoned patience". Can the UMC have any spiritual integrity as long as it targets GLBT friends and neighbors with such vicious intolerance? Of course NOT! And what does that "reasoned timeliness" say to UMC congregation and leaders in other countries who think it is perfectly justified to not only exclude but criminally prosecute and punish same gender love. I'll write more. Love you. Peace, Bob
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