In 1939, an American politician named Frederic R. Coudert spoke of a letter he received from a dear friend that ended with the often-misquoted line, “May you live in an interesting age.” Many years later, on June 6, 1966, Robert F. Kennedy included this in his “Day of Affirmation Address” but by then, the line evolved into, “May you live in interesting times”.
I’ve quoted that very phrase from Kennedy over the years without ever really knowing where it came from or what it was referencing. Sure, we all grew up learning the same lessons in school, using the same history books year after year. But history is neither stagnant nor dead nor should it ever be. It’s a living, breathing “thing” around us that we see, feel, and participate in. Should we just accept the past as fact or do we have an obligation to do the research behind those often-famous moments or speeches throughout history?
As Pride Month comes to a close, I think it’s important to pause and appreciate the living history around us – where we are and how far we’ve come, while never forgetting who or what brought us here. History should inspire and move us not by sitting in a classroom or misquoting in our speech, but by using these lessons we learn in our daily lives.
Sure, we all have heard of some of the famous folks who have helped shape the LGBTQ+ movement over the years. We’ve come to know the writings and personal life of Oscar Wilde of the early 1900s or the work of James Baldwin in the late 20th century or the incredible strength of Harvey Milk or even recently, the awesome Sally Ride who lived a private life as a lesbian, but publicly as the first American woman to fly in space for NASA.
Who has inspired you in recent history?
For me, it was Ganga Stone – who recently passed on June 2, 2021, at the age of 79, who made me stop and reflect on the amazing history and success of this woman. She was a pioneer who in 1986 started a program that delivered hot meals to the home-bound suffering from HIV and AIDS. What she was doing didn’t have a name; her group only had a mission. One day a local priest stopped her on the street while making deliveries to let her know, “you are doing Gods work” – helping those who could not help themselves. This incredible effort and organization of volunteers evolved to be known as, “God’s Love We Deliver”, and is still going strong today!
When I think of Pride, it’s not just a flag to be waved, or a tag line on social media . . . it’s a combination of all those who came before us and those that will lead the way into our next chapter in history, for we continue to live in interesting times.
Happy Pride, Everyone!
Please visit God’s Love We Deliver’s website – glwd.org to learn more about this amazing organization and how you can help.
