fiddlehead.....every changing, ever growing

fiddlehead....ever changing, ever growing

Monday, January 16, 2012

a place in time


Today my mind is going to a very different place in history that I have only known through history books and images on t.v.  A place in time in which I have not lived, but holds the roots, the legacy of racism and inequality.

And while I have not lived in that time, or known such hatred and inequality, I believe we must know where we have been as a culture, as a country, as people to know where we are going in the future.

To think there was a place in history in which I would not have been able to be my daughter's mother.

  A place in time where she would not have the same priviledges and rights as her brothers.  



A place in time where she would not have been able to swim along side her friend.


A place in time when my sister would not have been able to marry the man she loves.

A place in time when my sisters children would have been alienated...


A place in time when the "idea" of an African American President seemed impossible.

  (this is my son, Jack, pointing to President Obama on Inauguration Day)

Today, in this place in time I am aware that all is not perfect.  I am aware of that people still hold hatred in their hearts and change must continue.

In this place in time I am embracing my gratitude for the social movement and messages of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr,
for the ability to create change, embrace our differences... to hold on to equality and ultimately to love one another.




"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word." 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 



8 comments:

Sue said...

Oh that last photo says so much to me.

Cindy said...

Lovely

Contemplating Beauty said...

Well well said and written, I oh so appreciate this post, b/c I had a guy I dated (a black man)on and off in high school (he went to CDH), and he and I were not accepted a lot of places we went together. I thought I was going to marry this man, and I still think about our time together this day and how different my life would probably look having this in-equality in the mix.
I am so grateful that your children will grow up with the idea that any "race" is unacceptable, but only that there is one true race, the human race. You've given your whole family something so so incredibly beautiful Jeni, thankful for your soul.xoxo

Sha Zam- said...

Well said. hit the heart today.

hotflawedmama said...

beautiful post, sweet friend.

Auntie Barb said...

You are beautiful and your voice and writings touch so many people. The love you bring to the world is extraordinary...
Love you!

Auntie Barb said...

You are so beautiful as is your voice, photography and writings. You inspire us all with your extraordinary being.
Love you...

Amy E said...

So beautifully written Jen.

Thank you for visiting the fiddlehead report!