What Elizabeth Alexander and Rev. Joseph Lowery Could Teach Rick Warren

by Michael Jones · 2009-01-20 11:11:00 UTC
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InaugurationIf there was one word that flowed throughout Elizabeth Alexander's Inaugural poem, "Praise Song for the Day," and Rev. Joseph Lowery's benediction during the closing moments of President Barack Obama's Inauguration, it was this: love.  Both presenters, while not explicitly mentioning LGBT rights, were able to capture in very real terms the struggle for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.  And in their words, it's a struggle for love.

Elizabeth Alexander:

Some live by "Love thy neighbor as thy self."

Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.

What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.

In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.

On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light.

And Rev. Joseph Lowery:

In the complex arena of human relations, help us to make choices on the side of love, not hate.  On the side of inclusion, not exclusion.  Tolerance, not intolerance.

And as we leave this mountain top, help us to hold on to the spirit of fellowship, and the oneness of our family.  Let us take that power back to our homes, our workplaces, our churches, our temples, our mosques...

On the side of inclusion, not exclusion. Perhaps that's a sentence that Rick Warren, and those who champion efforts to deny LGBT citizens equal rights, should go back and read a couple times. Rev. Joseph Lowery may not be the strongest ally out there, but his closing words today could prove wondrous in moving those who struggle with reconciling their religion with policies that affirm LGBT persons and same-gender relationships.  Because as he points out, religion at its best should always fall on the side of love, not hate.  On the side of expanding rights, not rescinding them.  On the side of tolerance, not intolerance.

And on that note, maybe it's a good thing Warren was in the crowd today to hear the message of a poet and a pastor more focused on bringing people together, than pulling folks apart.

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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