On Thursday March 18, 2010 Lt. Dan Choi staged an uprising that seems to be gaining momentum by the moment. During the protest of DADT Lt. Choi chained himself to the White House lawn perimeter. Here's a video of his arrest:
Since Lt. Choi's arrest a series of uprisings have occurred, almost as if this was our own age's Stonewall. Nancy Pelosi's office was inundated with calls from all across the country fueled by a battle cry from our friends over on Pam's House Blend as well as many others. Choi wants us to support getequal.org, but more importantly so does internationally known world famous GLBT activist Will Phillips:
My hat is off for Lt. Choi, but I bow to the courage of a ten year old boy who knows wrong when he sees it and has the care to try to do something about it. His actions remind me of words in the ulogy of the late Robert F. Kennedy:
"What it really all adds up to is love -- not love as it is described with such facility in popular magazines, but the kind of love that is affection and respect, order and encouragement, and support. Our awareness of this was an incalculable source of strength, and because real love is something unselfish and involves sacrifice and giving, we could not help but profit from it." And he continued, "Beneath it all, he has tried to engender a social conscience. There were wrongs which needed attention. There were people who were poor and needed help. And we have a responsibility to them and to this country. Through no virtues and accomplishments of our own, we have been fortunate enough to be born in the United States under the most comfortable conditions. We, therefore, have a responsibility to others who are less well off."
There is much work to be done if we are going to have equality in our time; all of our participation is critical to creating meaningful change. Put your wallets away and get out to any of the many events out there and be seen supporting your GLBT brothers and sisters. If a ten year old boy can do it so can you!
