Standing on the Shoulders

A few years ago my church was celebrating it's 90th anniversary.  The closing song each Sunday was "Standing on the Shoulders" -- an appropriate song and lyrics for the 90 years of people who had built and maintained this faith community.

What I didn't know about this song is that it was a women's rights suffrage song! (Click here to listen to the song and view some of our women pioneers.)

Some of the women in this video I recognized; some I knew by name only; others were unknown -- not part of my education or learning.

What else have I missed or not learned in my lifetime?

Do I know my history?
(Photo credit:  Women's Suffrage, History Channel)

 

 
Why is Standing on the Shoulders so important?  August 18, 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to our Constitution:  "declaring for the first time that they [women], like men, deserve all the rights and responsibilities of citizenship."

Also, in light of our recent protests and struggles, others in our society are demanding to be heard and to be treated with justice and equality.

Standing on the Shoulders is  an invitation to honor those who have preceded us -- expanding our American liberties and values.  It is an invitation -- and a challenge -- to "come in and learn."

 

Am I willing to "come in and learn"?
(Photo credit:  Women's Suffrage, History Channel)

 
As I ponder this significant anniversary in light of our dialogue practices, I am learning that dialogue sometimes is a messy business.

 We are asked to:

• Hold lightly what we have learned -- or not learned.
• Seek truth and new understanding -- even when we don't want to listen.
• Accept the vulnerability that comes with not knowing -- as we heal together.

And possibly, becoming comfortable with demands for change in our relationships.

How do I seek equality?
(Photo credit:  Women's Suffrage, History Channel)

 
As we celebrate the century where women have had the right to vote, let us also remember the many women before 1920 who could not vote -- yet created a movement that promoted a future for others.

May we be thankful for the women who have gone before us -- our mothers, grandmothers, spouses or significant others, work colleagues, and friends -- teaching us and helping us to become better people.

 

May we pay attention to the dreams and needs of women and others who seek justice and equality today.

 

May we become the change that allows others to stand on our shoulders for future generations -- bettered by our actions of love, rights, equality, and acceptance.

 

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

(click on link for website)