Leaps Towards Equality – and Humanity

In recent times, protests around our country and the world have highlighted that we, as a society, are long overdue for change. All people should be treated equally, with respect and fairness. Enlightened leaders are stepping up to listen and learn. They want to be conduits that facilitate change and challenge those who continue to thwart it. I, like most of you, am listening and learning, and remain committed to taking steps forward each day, and for the rest of my life.

This is a historic month marking unprecedented change.

On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court Justices ruled that it was finally illegal to fire gay or transgender people because of their sexuality: until a few days ago, it was legal to do so in 29 states.

On June 28, 1970, gay pride parade NYC was born to mark the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. This is the 50th Anniversary; there is much to celebrate and a global pandemic will not mute the enthusiasm and victory of all those who support equality and humanity.

Today, Friday, June 19, is “Juneteenth,” a day that needs to be nationally and formally recognized as Freedom Day to mark the historic moment that dates back to the Civil War in 1865 when all people enslaved in Texas were emancipated. I urge you to take the day to honor the historic pain caused by – and lives lost to – racial inequity and celebrate racial diversity.

This is an opportunity to continue to learn, connect with each other, and reflect on how we can move forward and achieve permanent and lasting change. If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s shown us to expect the unexpected. We’ve seen that there is no more room for racism – it is intolerable. We’ve celebrated healthcare heroes but done so alongside essential workers who have long been overlooked for their critical contributions to society.

Empathy is a new-found skill where we’ve learned to work together because we’re all in the same boat. Yes, indeed, 2020 will go down in history as the year that love won.