I wanted to comment on the passing of Coretta Scott King. Let me first admit that I am a white gay man who grew up in the south, and who deeply admired the courage, persistence, FAITH, and strength as personified by both Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and his incredible tower of strength, Coretta Scott King. From them and their willingness to risk their lives for what was right and just for all, I learned what it meant to care for others, to march for the poor, the disenfranchised, to work for peace and against war, and finally to work to make all of America a more equal and inclusive society.
I also learned from their example and their lives that it was important to be who God made me to be as a gay man and not continue to deny it ---to pass, for anybody else’s comfort or prejudice. I personally had no more choice over my sexual orientation than I had over my skin color. However I did have the choice to hide in the shadows, living in fear and regret or, choose to come out and live in the light with self respect and dignity and compassion and determination to make things better for all---the same lessons I had learned from Dr. and Mrs. King’s personal lives and example.
When I learned that Mrs. King had become involved in the struggle for my full civil rights as I had been for others, I was touched, honored and deeply grateful. She could have let this issue pass her by. I am sure it would have been easier to do, but being the great woman and role model for liberation that she is, that was not a possibility. She lived with truth and integrity and left us all so much richer by her exemplary life.
She joins the pantheon of great men and women who by living their lives with honesty and integrity, provide us with shining examples of the lives we are all called to live, to listen to our better angels, love more compassionately and empathically and leave this world richer for our having been here.
I am certain she is at peace, knowing she has fought the good fight til the end, and is enjoying the fruits of all her justice work with her Creator and all her loved ones. Let us continue the work.
I wanted to comment on the passing of Coretta Scott King. Let me first admit that I am a white gay man who grew up in the south, and who deeply admired the courage, persistence, FAITH, and strength as personified by both Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and his incredible tower of strength, Coretta Scott King. From them and their willingness to risk their lives for what was right and just for all, I learned what it meant to care for others, to march for the poor, the disenfranchised, to work for peace and against war, and finally to work to make all of America a more equal and inclusive society.
I also learned from their example and their lives that it was important to be who God made me to be as a gay man and not continue to deny it ---to pass, for anybody else’s comfort or prejudice. I personally had no more choice over my sexual orientation than I had over my skin color. However I did have the choice to hide in the shadows, living in fear and regret or, choose to come out and live in the light with self respect and dignity and compassion and determination to make things better for all---the same lessons I had learned from Dr. and Mrs. King’s personal lives and example.
When I learned that Mrs. King had become involved in the struggle for my full civil rights as I had been for others, I was touched, honored and deeply grateful. She could have let this issue pass her by. I am sure it would have been easier to do, but being the great woman and role model for liberation that she is, that was not a possibility. She lived with truth and integrity and left us all so much richer by her exemplary life.
She joins the pantheon of great men and women who by living their lives with honesty and integrity, provide us with shining examples of the lives we are all called to live, to listen to our better angels, love more compassionately and empathically and leave this world richer for our having been here.
I am certain she is at peace, knowing she has fought the good fight til the end, and is enjoying the fruits of all her justice work with her Creator and all her loved ones. Let us continue the work.
Peace and blessings,
David in NYC