For decades I've considered myself a part of a rainbow coalition. The symbolic use of the multi-colored rainbow stripes was used by
Fred Hampton in the late 60s to define a
rainbow coalition between radicals from black, brown, white, yellow and red groups fighting to change a system of inequality. There were
Rainbow Gatherings of counter-culture folks which started in the early 70s. The metaphor of the rainbow was then adopted by the Rev. Jesse Jackson in 1984 as a
National Rainbow Coalition.
Internationally, the multi-coloured arc has been used by Bishop Desmond Tutu, to describe post-apartheid South Africa as the Rainbow Nation.
The rainbow has also become a symbol for multiculturalism and diversity, in organizing and in education. Especially in education. Our nation's demographics are changing, and so are the students in our schools. Curricula are being changed in the ways we teach, and what we teach—about cultures, history and current events—to adapt students to living in a diverse national and increasingly interconnected global community.
Last weekend in Washington, D.C., the National Mall was covered in One Million Bones to call attention to genocide around the world. Many of those bones were crafted and contributed by students.
This is the type of education that right-wing forces want to wipe out.
Perhaps one day, under a rainbow, we will have peace, justice, an end to genocides, racism, sexism, ethnocentrism and homophobism.
The rainbow is a symbol that those of us who are Democrats, leftists, activists, liberals, progressives, and radicals can all embrace to forge stronger coalitions to fight back against those making war targeting us all. Whether we are atheists, social-justice-oriented members of religious congregations, Pagans, straight or gay, we are part of a rainbow, and we can build a safe harbor under that rainbow.
I hear the question asked by Dr. Y.M. Barnwell, from Sweet Honey in the Rock, in their song, "Would You Harbor Me?"
Would you harbor me?
Would I harbor you?
Would you harbor me?
Would I harbor you?
Would you harbor a Christian, a Muslim, a Jew
a heretic, convict or spy?
Would you harbor a run away woman, or child,
a poet, a prophet, a king?
Would you harbor an exile, or a refugee,
a person living with AIDS?
Would you harbor a Tubman, a Garrett, A Truth
a fugitive or a slave?
Would you harbor a Haitian Korean or Czech,
a lesbian or a gay?
Would you harbor me?
Would I harbor you?
Would you harbor me?
Would I harbor you?
My answer is yes.
Under that rainbow we can.
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