Love is the Movement.... a Revolution

Switchfoot had a song called Love is the Movement - the chorus line read:

Love is the movement
Love is a revolution
This is redemption
We don't have to slow back down

I continue to be inspired by watching some of the people around me sweating blood, all to love others. Now, keep in mind, I live in California - it seems that the things that people fight for here aren't as important to people elsewhere in the country. In my hometown, I don't think people are raising money for HIV/AIDS awareness and assistance, worry about marriage equality, care about transgender issues, or work towards sustaining the environment. But here, those are real, genuine issues that people have given their lives for - or for which have had their lives taken.

Despite all of the odd things that people perceive to be happening in California (who else makes the actor whom played in the Terminator their governor?!), I believe California - particularly San Francisco - is a place where love is a movement, the revolution. We acknowledge the reality of the human condition. We acknowledge that we're all in this together. We acknowledge that the only way for us to stand united is to toss aside all assumptions and fears of the unknown. Let's face it - none of us really know each other. We're all unknown to another. Just because someone may be born differently, look differently, behave differently, desire something different than you or I - they're unknown. There was once a time when men and women of African descent were feared, and regarded as sub-human. It took much bravery and many deaths to get to where we now have our first African American president. I see this as a beacon of hope to all of those out there that feel oppressed because of their beliefs, gender identity, sexual preference, physical differences, etc. Our country didn't get to the point where the votes of Americans nationwide - including what some people say, the "Southern bigots" - elected a black president by being complacent and quiet.

The passion to cause a change and a revolution is still coursing through the veins of those to whom that God has given the bravery. I truly feel there are people chosen specifically to make people question their beliefs and principles. These are the people that see the broken world and immediately do what it takes to make others aware of what is missing, or work towards a solution.

People are often afraid to love until they are educated on what they don’t understand. Not everyone has the ability to see the soul of a person, and love them for being the brilliant creation that they are. Why is we get so wrapped up in what someone is wearing, where they live, or what they do for a living? What gives us the right to judge a person, not on their soul, but on the materials they own (or that own them)? I’m tired of seeing humanity stoop to this level of mediocrity – people watching Perez Hilton, instead of doing something to better the world, for example. We love to tear others down….I feel it helps us to avoid seeing our own flaws. It’s like the tactic of diversion; create a bigger issue elsewhere to avoid dealing with what’s really at hand. How long can we keep doing this, though? Certainly we must eventually grow out of it, right? As a society, what can we do to just spread the message of love, and not of discrimination? How can we steer away from celebrating misfortune, and celebrate freedom? Or am I just asking rhetorical questions, and am forced to live within the mess that we’ve created for ourselves? I refuse to accept the latter. Love IS a movement. Love IS a revolution. I'm ready to start this movement and revolution - I hope you're brave enough to join me....