Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Today, two days ago, and in two days

In two days, many Americans will commemorate the adoption of the United States Declaration of Independence, proclaiming a country based on the truth that "all men are created equal...with certain unalienable rights".

The United States then proceeded to embark on nearly one hundred years of formal, legal slavery, followed by another hundred years of formal, legal segregation.

Fifty years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the 1964 Civil Rights Act, outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Friends. We have made so much progress. Let's celebrate.



And yet...

Two days ago, the United States Supreme Court recognised a for-profit company's claim of religious belief, furthering the legal possibilities for corporations to claim "personhood" and carrying with it significant potential for increased human rights abuses.

Illegal slavery and structural racism are still very real.

Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is legal in much of the country.

I hold these truths to be self-evident: That all people are created equal. But my country does not yet treat them that way.

Beloveds. We have so much work to do. Let's get to it.

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