Remembering MLK Jr.: I have a dream. Do you? Perhaps your dream is right in your own backyard.

Barb Elgin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:34:52 +0000

As we remember Martin Luther King, Jr. today, I had a chance to talk about ‘intolerance and injustice’ on the Rhett Palmer Show (recording to come).

I want to take this time to thank Rhett for giving me the opportunity to share with him and his listeners who I am, what I do and why I have a passion for what I’ve chosen to do. Rhett seems to be one of those Christians who is either ‘on the fence’ (open to change) or, he is someone just trying to live his life more in unison with what Jesus really meant about love and tolerance (as opposed to being sheep-like in simply regurgitating what many of those on the farther right keep spouting, without learning and listening).

To commemorate MLK, a colleague of mine, Judy Kinney, offered up the following quote on Facebook:

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Dr. Howard Thurman (a mentor to MLK)

A worthy, inspiring quote for today, don’t you think?

Are you alive? Do you know if you are? I’m not just talking about survival here, although if your burning passion is to help the world put away the need for survival (so we can focus on higher purposes) then I say, get to work!

Alright, I know how pollyanna-ish that sounds, but, hey, dreaming big is where many of the inventions and ways we live today started originated from (that we mostly take for granted).

Or, if your burning passion is living a good life taking care of your chosen responsibilities, that in itself is nothing to take for granted. For many of us, there are many days when this is enough of a challenge!

Many take on what some would consider the ‘mundane’ responsibilities of life without conscious intent. If that’s you, I would encourage you to figure out how you can make a greater mark right in your own ‘back yard’ as opposed to feeling like you’ve got to ‘go out and save the world’.

No, but seriously, today is a time to reflect on the values of Martin Luther King Jr. Values such as winning the ‘wars’ on militarism, poverty and racism. Equality and justice. Bigger fish like these. And, guess what? His son, Martin Luther King, III is carrying on his daddy’s dream.

Again, resolving many of the world’s problems begins in your own back yard. What can you do today to help?

How about: becoming more about your character than the color of your skin (or the balance in your bank book)? Get inspired! What’s your gift to the world? If you don’t know, but you DO know ‘something is missing’ in your life, give me a call. I can help!

Click here to read about Martin Luther King, III’s work.

Give yourself and your loved ones a memorable holiday gift – an HRC membership

Barb Elgin — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:19:35 +0000

More important than materialism, giving yourself and your loved ones (and maybe sending one or two to people like Rick Warren!) the priceless gift of an HRC membership is my wish for you this holiday season. I had the pleasure of meeting HRC’s big cheese – Joe Solomonese – on a beautiful winter day in Orlando early last year. Joe invited me to speak on his radio show, which of course I did (and hope to return soon!).

Of course I follow Joe however and whenever I can. I believe he is one of the great leaders of our day. Here’s an excerpt from his email message to the community today. I found it quite powerful and I know you will too…

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As 2008 draws to a close, we are forced to confront two very different views of our country.

On the very same day that we made history by electing an African-American president, the passage of Proposition 8 and other anti-gay measures told LGBT people, “Your relationships don’t count.”

And last week’s announcement that Prop. 8 supporter Rev. Rick Warren will give the Inaugural Invocation proved that our fight for equality didn’t end on Election Day.

But the lies and the setbacks have energized us. It’s time to use our anger – and our energy – to renew this fight, combat the lies, and demand the truth, undefeated and unbowed.

We never could have come this far without you.

Help us reach our goal of 2,009 renewed members before the January 20th inauguration.

The Rick Warren controversy heralds the start of a defining year for this movement. HRC responded quickly and decisively, speaking out in dozens of national media outlets and generating 40,000 letters to President-elect Obama in four days, asking him to keep his promises on LGBT equality.

But we haven’t lost sight of the broader tasks ahead. They speak to the core of why HRC supporters like you have joined our struggle. And they are exactly why your membership in 2009 is so important.

First and foremost, we will continue laying the groundwork for full marriage equality, including a repeal of Proposition 8. HRC is taking aggressive action against the lies and fabrications that have held back the tide of equality. We can, and we will, show America that honoring love and commitment is the moral thing to do.

We will fight so that Judy Shepard doesn’t have to spend one more year without her son Matthew’s life being honored with a hate crimes law that protects ALL of us.

We will continue building public support for a fully-inclusive workplace protection, so that LGBT people will no longer suffer discrimination or lose their jobs because of who they are.

We will fight for the freedom to serve openly in the military; for adoption and foster parenting rights; and for transgender equality as a critical piece of our national civil rights vision.

In weeks to come, you will hear more about HRC’s grassroots, online and other campaigns to channel the anger caused by Prop. 8 and pursue our vision of justice – in the states, workplaces, faith communities, college campuses and beyond.

Not all these things will happen in 2009, but this is a moment we must not let slip by. Together we must move our country closer to what we know in our hearts and souls belongs to us all: equality.

This is the time to join our movement. Help lead the new way forward as one of 2,009 new members for 2009.

We can’t do this without you. HRC is only as strong as the members who support and sustain us. Have a blessed and peaceful holiday season.

Warmly,

Joe Solmonese
President

» equality

Remembering MLK Jr.: I have a dream. Do you? Perhaps your dream is right in your own backyard.

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Dr. Howard Thurman (a mentor to MLK)

Give yourself and your loved ones a memorable holiday gift – an HRC membership