One Step, Then Another...
June of 2015 has seen a lot happen, and we still have some days to go in the month. In addition to the Rachel Dolezal mess, we've seen the massacre of nine innocent black men and women at a church in South Carolina. We've seen a national conversation about what the Confederate Battle Flag represents and whether it should still be flying on state-sanctioned grounds. Black churches in Georgia and Florida have been the victims of arson. And the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Obamacare and marriage equality for gays and lesbians.
What I always find interesting is the backlash that comes with any seemingly positive action forward. Sure Walmart and Amazon aren't selling the Confederate flag any longer, but what about all these other symbols of hate/oppression/racism/etc that they still condone? Or, it is great that gay marriage is now legal across the country, but what about all the other ways that LGBTQ people can still be discriminated against in certain parts of the country? What if marriage equality causes so much assimilation that gay culture disappears?
These are all questions worth asking. But I still think it is okay (and important!) to pause and celebrate when things happen that help move us forward as a country. There is always going to be more work to do. Always. We must be able to acknowledge when something is accomplished rather than immediately lament our cultural shortcomings.
Today, I'm celebrating the Supreme Court's announcement that validates my marriage in all 50 states. I'm thankful that the Confederate flag isn't as readily available to purchase as it was a few weeks ago. I will reflect on where we've been as a country and where we are going. There is always tomorrow, and next week, and next month, and next year to continue stepping forward into the future.
