On Ramadan and the Freedom to Be

06/13/2016

In the month of Ramadan, one reflects. On personal fortune, health, spirit, humility, family, struggle, faith, discipline, perseverance and life's most precious moments.

Some in this world choose to eschew this integral component of Ramadan, an element that reaches beyond this holy month, for an ignorant, violent and misguided path. We call them extremists. Likewise, there are some who do not follow Islam and believe that their self-imposed and ultimately indefensible righteousness acts as a missive for hateful words and violent action. We call them extremists too.

I am with the LGBT community, ever and always. Those in the US who condone violence, hate and mindless retribution as legitimate expressions of the First Amendment cannot be empowered. Those around the world who use their influence to post, tweet and blog ancient and outdated positions of intolerance cannot overwhelm the voices of those who care and love and forgive. Those whose barbarous and intentional ignorance threatens to overcome the potent self-awareness and kindness that will characterize our future civilization will not succeed. Ever.

There is no heaven for those who condone or commit this violence, no redemption, no second chance, no reclamation of the soul, no reconstructed humanity, no green mushroom. It's game over.

I love you all. Find peace and don't let it slip away.