Civil rights equate to human rights, which should rest in the mind and heart that determine the state of our soul.
If we exclude any member of the human race, or the rights of one segment of society, then we possess prejudice, which taints our heart and soul.
Many families no longer sit down together to eat their evening meal. It may be because so many parents have to work more than one job, or a single mom has to work nights in order to find someone to watch her children. The less time children are able to spend with their parents, the less parenting exists.
Attendance at churches, synagogues, mosques, Buddhist temples, etc. have dwindled due to the necessity of parents working on days of worship. Eventually this empties the mind, heart and soul, which in turn leads to apathy.
Spirituality is an important factor in determining the state of our mind, heart and soul. It is also the basis of how we see politics, and our personal involvement in preserving civil and human rights.
Each religion has basic tenants, and ideologies, but on factor that is typically similar is how we see and treat our brothers and sisters, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, or creed.
Jesus was a social activist, and advocate. He never turned away the downtrodden, the sick, the weak, criminals, prostitutes, etc. He welcomed them and made them anew through love. Those who call themselves Christian, yet condemn immigrants, women, members of minority groups, refuse to honor the civil rights given to us under the Constitution, deny affordable healthcare to all, deny Medicaid, unemployment insurance to those who lost jobs through no fault of their own, deny women equal pay or protection against sexual assault under the law, deny raising the minimum wage, deny food stamps to our working poor, vote to slash Social Security, and Medicare -- are far from Christian. Indeed, they are not representative of any faith. Rather, they worship false idols of money and power.
How do family time, parenting, living one's faith and politics connect? Politics must be about that which is ethical, moral and best for all people, not simply some. Voting should reflect your total understanding of what is fair and just for all, not a singular prejudice against a certain segment of society. After all, prejudice arises out of ignorance, an unwillingness to learn about others, and accept them as your brothers and sisters.
The moral and ethical issues of loving all our brothers and sisters, seeking peace and harmony, not war, wanting each and every man, woman and child to practice their rights under the law reveals one's soul. Our Constitution is intended to protect those rights; yet, states like Texas, Wisconsin, Alabama, Mississippi, and many more, have state legislatures and governors who deny those rights.
Your duty as parents, educators, friends, and citizens of this country and the world, is to practice and impart to our youth the value and importance of justice and equality for all. You do this in the classroom by teaching about people like Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Cesar Chavez, Gandhi, Albert Schweitzer, Susan B. Anthony, etc. You achieve this through Character Education. You sit down at dinner, or a scheduled family time to discuss the connection between faith, ethics, morality, and voting.
If you are of the mindset that the problems of the poor do not concern you, that will translate to a lesson learned by your children and students. If you truly believe that everyone in this country and elsewhere have the same opportunities, then you are refusing to see the truth. If you believe that owning an arsenal of weapons is more important than legislating sound laws to protect our children in school, movie goers, mall shoppers, etc. then your priorities are skewed. If you believe that you have the right to impose one facet of your religion onto others by limiting the rights of any segment of society, then you are not practicing the basic ethical, moral, and tenants of love for all human kind, or upholding our Constitutional rights which must separate church and state.
I urge you to examine the state of your mind, for that rules your heart, and ultimately establishes the state of your soul. Study honestly that which you believe, and how you put into practice love of all humanity, honoring and respecting all people. It is not merely how you greet fellow workers each day, your temperament in the classroom, or at home with family members that determine the state of your mind, heart and soul, it is also how, when, and if you vote in each election.
Unlike other countries, you do have the privilege and right to vote. You also have a duty to vote, and know the values and ethics of those for whom you cast a ballot to preserve equality, freedom and justice for all.
If you are not registered to vote, if you have moved recently, if every member of your family who is eligible to vote is not registered, then do it now! Find a Voter Registration Deputy and get it done!
If you are registered to vote, be sure that your driver's license or state photo ID have the same exact name and signature as your voter registration card. If not, re-register, or your vote may not count.
Take your children with you when you vote, so they see you represent.
Many states like TX, and our own national House of Representatives, possess a majority of legislatures and governors who are denying basic civil rights protected under the law to women, the elderly, and members of minority groups, as well as our working poor. It is your responsibility to vote for candidates who want to restore equality and justice for all, not only the wealthiest 1%, who happen to be predominantly white males.
Seal your mind, heart, and soul by believing, and practicing love for all, and doing everything you can to promote civil rights, human rights, equality and justice for all.
