Just wanted to post a quick link to my July 4th editorial. For those who don’t know, I am a working journalist in addition to being an author in my mundane life :). Occasionally I get to make a point on subjects that are important to me. Even though they are only small town papers, they are still important to addressing the things that make up our lives….perhaps even more important than the big city papers. 🙂
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I think it’s absolutely terrific that you make points in smaller town papers, else it’s more likely that there will be more unchallenged pockets of horrific religious prejudice and abuse, such as what Darla Wynne endured. I like that you stood up for something because it’s trickier to defend oneself after acts of prejudice are committed – I was disappointed and shocked by even the reactions of Pagans regarding Wynne’s experiences and reactions, for instance.History and current news shows us that symbols are argued over (such as the Mohammed cartoons), denied, destroyed, defaced, or hidden when religions and clash … and yet people don’t think about it if it’s not their religion/symbol being denied.
Just recently, I noticed Jason Pitzl-Waters, when talking about the lack of recognition and inclusion in American politics today, mentioned hiding pentacle necklaces at the end of his “Spiritual Progressives or Religious Left?” entry.I wish the concepts that civil rights are won in waves and are a job never completely done were more of a focus in public schools because more than nine times out of ten, if you ask people what civil right movement means to them, they will mentions things from “the” civil rights movement. I did that one day — I asked for people tell me what comes to mind when I said “civil rights.” I’ll never forget that.
Vicious cycles spin, when some religious symbols are denied and hidden, and it’s amazing that the American government is invested in denying a religious symbol for that many years. Since when was it their right in the first place?
Woohoo! Way to go Zy!! You rock lady!
Er, I mean, what a well written and cogently argued editorial, Zyalia. 🙂
What a beautifully sensitve, respectful and accessible way to write about a topic that stirs passion. Thank you for writing this article and for doing it in such a manner. You said what I have a hard time saying without forthing at the mouth! 🙂