FREEDOM and EQUALITY
A Woman’s Perspective
by Suzanne Lewis
To See, Hear and Write
Old Stones Like Old Crones Must Speak
Infused With Wisdom
If I were a minister I’d be forced to leave the pulpit this moment in my life. From somewhere deep in my soul an advocacy lurks to honestly “tell it like it is.” I’ve wanted to name “it” my cranky side or maybe the best or worse of my Virgo nature. On one side I yearn to be heard and on the other part a voice demands to speak truths all the while wanting the same for the others in my life.
Have you ever felt like life was clear and simple? For me there is truth and there are non-truths. The gray area in between seems slim. Too bad one of my advocacy’s is to keep my nose out of other people’s business unless asked in. Then my next truth is that each of us has an inner physician, a higher presence that maintains and relates the ultimate truth. Until one relearns how to listen to this great voice, none other who speaks authentically can be heard.
For the past two nights I watched the story on television of Sally Heming and Thomas Jefferson. As Sally was portrayed, she was the one who spoke with great conviction on the equality of all mankind and it was Thomas Jefferson who did lip service and procrastination. He may have written the Declaration of Independence but throughout his life he failed to live it. The character of his black mistress who bore numerous fair skinned children was his teacher who went unheard, yet for the sake of love she relinquished her personal freedom and bore great pain and heartbreak throughout her life.
Maybe she represents the shadow side of womankind. It’s more significant to keep the man’s sexual appetite fed than one’s self or children. Maybe Sally’s in each of us, the part that knows truth and yet lowers her eyes, curves her shoulders and says yes master.
Well the fires a spittin’ in this ol’ girl today! Many a great man gets honored and recognized in our culture while the really heroic strength lies in the woman who strokes and coddles his esteem.
Is this an eternal truth?
Is it suppose to change….
Over 200 years have passed since the great document was put in print. “All men are created equal…” Maybe it should read “All human beings are created equal.”
