This summer is going to be a tough time to try to celebrate Pride Month - or Independence Day...
...So, I started writing those words and just couldn't stop. But I realize you might not have signed up to hear from a jewelry artist for yet more political stuff. 😉 So, I give you permission to just enjoy the pretty picture, maybe click the link if you like it and want to see more rainbow jewelry, and skip the words below.
But if you are hurting from where we are and where we seem to be going right now, I encourage you to read on and join in.
This summer is going to be a tough time to try to celebrate Pride Month - or Independence Day.
If you're saying to yourself, "Wait, how can America, our 'nation of immigrants', our 'melting pot', with a 150-foot tall statue that says 'Bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...' - how can that America be just kidnapping people off the streets? How can our America be sending military forces against our own people who are peacefully exercising their rights of free speech? How can our America say it is illegal to let an unborn child die, but turn around and try to take away the health care that helps more than 40% of our women give birth? How is this a 'land of the free'? How can this be happening in the world's most famous democracy?"
This is no longer democracy, when the words "free speech" are used to allow the rich or influential to lie without consequences, but ignored when words are spoken against those in power. This is not the founders' America, when the words "state's rights" are used to allow some states to strip away their citizens' rights, but conveniently ignored when other states try to support and protect the rights of their own citizens.
Our founders fought to get out from under the arbitrary power of kings, and replaced it with a system of checks and balances to keep any one man from having that much power. But our checks are unwilling to stand up and defend their own constitutional rights and the laws they've made. Our balances are ruling against the unconstitutional and arbitrary declarations 96% of the time, but don't necessarily have the power to enforce those rulings.
When our system of checks and balances break down, there are only two options: sit quietly and try not to draw the eye of the dangerously arbitrary, capricious power to yourself, or stand up together. History shows that when just 3.5% of the common people stand up and engage in sustained nonviolent resistance they will end even brutal dictatorships.
It's time to take back our pride from those who are trying to make us ashamed of who we are, ashamed of who we love, and most of all - ashamed of our country. Join one of the hundreds of "No Kings" nonviolent protests happening this Saturday, June 14th all across our country to join together, stand up, and take back our pride in ourselves.
If you're saying to yourself, "Wait, how can America, our 'nation of immigrants', our 'melting pot', with a 150-foot tall statue that says 'Bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...' - how can that America be just kidnapping people off the streets? How can our America be sending military forces against our own people who are peacefully exercising their rights of free speech? How can our America say it is illegal to let an unborn child die, but turn around and try to take away the health care that helps more than 40% of our women give birth? How is this a 'land of the free'? How can this be happening in the world's most famous democracy?"
This is no longer democracy, when the words "free speech" are used to allow the rich or influential to lie without consequences, but ignored when words are spoken against those in power. This is not the founders' America, when the words "state's rights" are used to allow some states to strip away their citizens' rights, but conveniently ignored when other states try to support and protect the rights of their own citizens.
Our founders fought to get out from under the arbitrary power of kings, and replaced it with a system of checks and balances to keep any one man from having that much power. But our checks are unwilling to stand up and defend their own constitutional rights and the laws they've made. Our balances are ruling against the unconstitutional and arbitrary declarations 96% of the time, but don't necessarily have the power to enforce those rulings.
When our system of checks and balances break down, there are only two options: sit quietly and try not to draw the eye of the dangerously arbitrary, capricious power to yourself, or stand up together. History shows that when just 3.5% of the common people stand up and engage in sustained nonviolent resistance they will end even brutal dictatorships.
It's time to take back our pride from those who are trying to make us ashamed of who we are, ashamed of who we love, and most of all - ashamed of our country. Join one of the hundreds of "No Kings" nonviolent protests happening this Saturday, June 14th all across our country to join together, stand up, and take back our pride in ourselves.
P.S. I'll be super flattered if you want to wear your Rainbow Pride jewelry to a "No Kings" protest on Saturday, but you might want to select Rush Shipping or it might not arrive in time - though I'm sure there will be more protests (and parties) to wear them to. Or show how you're taking back your pride in our country with my Red, White, and Blue jewelry!
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