~~ spoken in the Eulogy for Rev. Clementa Pinckney in Charleston, SC on June 26th, 2015

On this momentous day in which we heard the sounds of freedom in the Joyous  verbal expressions of those who felt they could celebrate their love with their chosen partner, as they celebrated  the Supreme Court’s decision affirming that LOVE wins and all people have the right to marry whomever they please. On this momentous day in which we saw the vision of freedom on the faces of those recognizing one another as equals, maybe for the first time, I ask you, what do you need to be or say or do in order to be more fully yourself?  Are you hiding something about yourself that, heretofore, you were afraid to show? When we hide, we are not free.

The time is now for you to gather the courage that is inside of you and let freedom ring loudly in your words and shine brilliantly on your face.

President Obama spoke clearly, fiercely and courageously when he told us that Justice will grow as we see ourselves in one another. And, it will not grow until we are willing to do this.  So, I ask you to gather with your closest friends and share who you are.
Share your dreams, your passions, your hopes and your fears.

We will find, that when we do this, we will see that in fact  that we all have the same needs, the same hopes and the same desires for healing, guidance and prosperity. And the only way to achieve justice is to acknowledge all humans as our brothers and sisters. President Obama told us in this eulogy that we must realize…….”my liberty depends on you being free too”. Let us stop hiding who we are and we will know the truth and the truth will indeed set us free.