Monday, December 1, 2008

March for Equality-Signs of Change





This is not my typical posting regarding Amanda and her cochlear implant journey, but it is something that does affect her and the rest of our family.  Amanda has two stepbrothers: my sons.  One of them is straight.  The other one is gay.  We love them both and believe they deserve equal rights in all areas, including the right to marry whomever they fall in love with.  

We participated in the nationwide protest November 15th against the passage of Proposition 8 here in California November 4th.  Above are some photos of us at the Redlands City Hall.  

It was a heartwarming day and we met many diverse people from all walks of life, gay and straight, who were standing on the corner for one sole purpose; to support equal rights for all and to repeal Prop 8.  

I found this video on jointheimpact.wetpaint.com and decided to post it here because I think it really speaks to love and acceptance of all families and justice for all, not just for some.  

On a connecting note to the theme of this blog.....Amanda did hear the supportive honks of cars that passed by!


Signs of Change from Woven Essence on Vimeo.

It is not captioned, which, if you've been following my blog, you know that I caption all of my video clips.  

However, I listened to it several times and can tell you that at the beginning and at the end, the marchers are chanting, "What do we want?!"  "Equal rights!"  "When do we want it?"  "Now!"

In another part of the video the marchers are chanting, "Gay, Straight, Black, White!  Marriage is a Civil Right!" 

The music playing throughout the video is called, "Nothing In Between" by Stuart Davis.   The lyrics and his website are printed below.

Nothing In Between

from the album Something Simple

Stuart Davis 2008            

stuartdavis.com

There is nothing in between us when we sleep
                                            

Every night the bliss begins to leak
                                                      

Nothing in between us when we laugh
                                                 

it’s something that our head will never grasp
                                    

It’s seen in between

There’s nothing in between your joy and mine
                                   

It’s all a lot of nectar on the vine
                                                              

Joy is how my parents were entwined
                                                      

and there’s nothing in between their lives and mine
                        

We’ve seen

There’s nowhere to hide in the open Reality
                                      

Love is so wide, there isn’t a boundary
                                             

There is only one eye without any enemy
                                             

when you’ve seen in between

There’s nothing in between our skin and light
                             

Nothing in between the wind and kite
                                    

Nothing in between our lips and grace
                                   

Nothing in between the tongue and taste
                                             

It’s seen

(Refrain)

There is nothing in between you and I
                                    

Nothing in between blue and sky
                                            

Nothing in between us and love
                                                       

Nothing in between wings and doves

(Refrain)

There is nothing
                                                                                     

in between

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful post and an inspiring blog. :)

I had not seen this video before--it's beautiful. Thank you for posting about it and for your strong, loving support for your children. I thank God my mother accepts and embraces me as I am; it makes a huge difference.

Love & Respect,

Mark

P.S. As you probably know, JoinTheImpact is asking for organizers and volunteers for the upcoming National Food Drive and Light Up The Night candlelight vigil on December 20. Info here:

JoinTheImpact.wetpaint.com

Jennifer Bruno Conde said...

Hi Mark,

I agree. It is a beautiful and inspiring video. I can't think of a more rewarding job than to be supportive of one's children. How wonderful that your mother is accepting and embracing of who you are.

I do know about JoinTheImpact's upcoming events and the request for organizers and volunteers. I'm looking into how my family and I can participate.

Love & Respect to you too!

Jennifer

*Tasha* said...

Hello!!

Check out: www.wearenottheenemy.blogspot.com.

I'm glad you got to participate in such a historic parade/statement! Much regards to everyone.

On another note:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with the above commenter- you are a wonderful supportive mother as well as person. I hope you have an amazing birthday as well as upcoming year- you deserve it, Jennifer! :)

Hugs

Anonymous said...

Hi Jennifer!!

Wow, that's great blog and that was fantastic you went!! Wish I'd go but there isn't one nearby to go to, the closest I'd go was about 3 hours drive, ugh!!

At least, we won't be here much longer so we will be closer to big city by next year, anyways.

I think the video was great and it doesn't even need captions! :-D

I bought up two topics on my site about gay rights/marriage so a lot of comments were quite interesting.

What's Wrong With Gay Marriage?

Protest This Crap: Gay Rights!

One thing I do not get it is that there were several people who are all about for changes but yet they voted to support Prop 8? *rolls*

Let's hope 2009 will be the year, though!

Hugs
-SG

Olivia Hernandez said...

Jennifer I think it is wonderful you are exposing the kids to the protest at such a young age. Later in life they will hopefully look back in shock that this could ever pass in California. Good for you supporting your son!! Do you watch Desperate Housewives? You might get a kick out of Bree, she is really conservative and attempting to be more acceptant of her gay son, you just have to see it to laugh LOL.

Great post girl!

Jennifer Bruno Conde said...

Tasha, We Are Not The Enemy is a great website! Thanks for sending it to me. And thanks for the birthday wishes and kudos. Parenting is one of the most important challenges and I take it seriously-like a mother hen

SG, 2009 has got to be better, huh? Like the website Tasha sent above says, GLBTQ people are not the enemy! Sometimes I'm embarrassed to be straight because of the idiotic things that come out of my people!

I follow your blog faithfully and had seen the two posts to which you are referring. Beautiful job all around, Geo!

Olivia, Thanks! I believe it's never too early to learn to be show tolerance and to celebrate our differences rather than war over them. No, I don't watch Desperate Housewives, but I'm sure Bree and I would have a lot to discuss. :-)