Open Note to Joseph Lowery

On this the first day of Black History Month, I would like to remind you that you do not have to wait for "White to do right". Many have paid a higher price than just the ultimate price to set your ancestors free. These men did more than just die for the end of slavery, they suffered mightily for it.

Have you ever thought to make an appearance here and thank them?

Benediction

A benediction is a prayer given at the close of a ceremony. The word comes from the Latin for 'Good Word'.

Today's good word comes to us from the Reverend Joseph Lowery of Atlanta, Georgia at the close of the inauguration of 'post-racial America'. The good word is:

“We ask you to help us work for that day
when black will not be asked to give back¹,
when brown can stick around,
when yellow will be mellow,
when the red man can get ahead, man,
and when white will embrace what is right?”

I don't think that the little shiver I got was awe.

¹I heard it as "get in back", but most everyone else heard it as "give back".