United We Stand, Divided We FAIL

With the election of Barack Obama into the presidential office last fall, the message was clear that the "Time is Now!" For many citizens this was a historic moment that reached a pinnacle during the inauguration.

At last, a man of color had earned the highest elected office in the United States. And so the winds of change have been firmly set into motion.

This historic event also stirred the pot of racists and bigots who had been lurking in the shadow of our communities. Slowly, these individuals have been lashing out against integration and diversity at the outer edges of society.

For all the progress that has been made, people within communities were starting to create bold lines in the sand that were based on race and not just on politics.

It is an honor to say that my good friend, Christine Hisick, wanted to do something about this negativity that was beginning to plague our local communities. Her vision has come to life with an initiative called Hands Around the Square. This is a candle light vigil with a mission...

"To create a visible collaboration of those in our city who support unity in diversity. To bring together the greater collective of those in our city who support these values in the same place, at the same time. To bring this greater collective into prayer and/or meditation for the healing of our city from hate, discrimination, exclusion and the like-to pray and/or meditate for the peace, harmony, and unity in diversity that we desire in Valparaiso, IN. To join hands to take our stand for these values."

For those near Valparaiso Indiana on Monday, November 2nd, come join us in this community vigil. For those who are else where, consider creating your own vigil for unity.

United We Stand, Divided We FAIL!