May 1, 2025

A storm is threatening
My very life today
If I don’t get some shelter
Ooh yeah I’m gonna fade away

Gimme Shelter
The Rolling Stones
1969

As I head out this afternoon to another protest, I’m reflecting on the protests of the late 60s and early 70s. Partly because I know I will encounter many others of grey hair who were also in those earlier protests across our nation. Then, like now, it was a time of intense passion. Now, unlike then, there is more of a peaceful energy. A peaceful yet equally fierce standing for what we believe in. 

After those earlier protests, the war in Viet Nam ended and more social justice measures were written into law. Slowly, things seemed to be headed in the right direction of equality and human rights. And so we stepped back. Some say we took our eye off the ball. But I don’t think so. Many of us engaged in social justice programs and organizations in our local communities. On a national level, we had faith that the momentum would continue. If we did slip into complacency, we are complacent no more. 

We all need shelter from this storm and shelter in this storm. The shelter of our values and vision. The shelter of millions of us across the country standing for social justice and human rights. The shelter of a community that is passionate about the issues and also grounded in love and compassion.

We are the seeds. The seeds of change. The seeds of shelter. And we are growing wild and strong!

See you in the streets, friends.

Beannacht,
Judith