I originally intended to share lighthearted stories from my vacation with you today—the historic sights, baseball stadiums, and savory foods we sampled—but that plan changed on Wednesday afternoon as I sat on a white plastic folding chair in the rain in Washington, DC.
On our final day on the East Coast, Dad scheduled a barrage of meetings from 7 am until 6 pm. I knew that the Department of Energy (DOE) wouldn’t invite me too, so I poked around the internet, checking the Capitol Mall tour bus schedules to maximize my sightseeing opportunities. In the chaos of the trip, I completely forgot the date—August 28—and that the entire district was essentially shut down for the 50th anniversary celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
So in a very anti-Amy-the-introvert fashion, I hustled from our hotel to Union Station with the masses and hopped on the Metro for 6 stops. I arrived at the Foggy Bottom station a little before 1 pm, turned the wrong way at the exit, and eventually circled back around to head the proper direction toward the Lincoln Memorial.
Once I reached the chain-link fence separating the public from the gala, I started scanning the streets for some stone steps or a park bench to people-watch and strain to hear the speeches. I spotted event officials passing out the last of their free purple bookmarks through the holes in the wire, and I politely took one as a memento instead of shelling out $10 for a t-shirt. I stared at it for a minute, then back at the woman’s empty hands.
It was a ticket in.
And not just any ticket. A ticket to the VIP section directly in front of the podium. (As I arrived late, the section was already full, but I still snagged a “B-List” seat just behind those celebrities!)
So in my tank top and cutoff denim shorts, I sat through the constant drizzle alongside everyone else in the section dressed in fancy business attire, soaking in the encouraging and inspiring words of Oprah, Jamie Foxx, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Martin Luther King III, and President Obama himself.
And while they preached, proclaimed, and emphasized equality for all, they failed to fully grasp the meaning of the movement. They described the fight, the gains and losses, the earning and winning, the steps and measures required for each generation. They called it equality and freedom, but it’s deeper than that.
It’s about love and respect.
Those two things can’t be fought for or won. They aren’t earned or awarded. Love and respect, true love and respect, are a gift from one person to another. They’re unconditional and given without any expectations or requirements in return.
By naming this struggle a “fight,” the distinguished speakers implied the existence of two separate groups, divided over a single issue. A victim and an oppressor. An “us” versus a “them.” And in this same vein, somebody must win, and somebody must lose.
But do you really lose anything by loving another person unconditionally? Or by respecting that person unfailingly?
Love and respect break down the barrier dividing the two different groups. They erase the fears associated with freedom and equality—of not having enough, of not being treated as well, of not measuring up—the fears rooted in our heads.
This movement is really about what’s in our hearts.
Because freedom and equality are quantities that can be measured with concrete examples: I can publish these thoughts about the movement (freedom) or my lesbian college roommate can get married (equality). But love and respect can never be measured, only felt in our hearts.
The speakers asked for the concrete, but what we wanted was the abstract. The feelings. The love.
And when the struggle resolves, and when the movement runs its course, there won’t be a winner and a loser, like at the end of a fight. There will simply be a “we,” with unconditional love and unfailing respect given to all people.
Beautiful piece, Amy.
Thank you Kathy!
Wow, what an incredible opportunity!!! You’ll remember that forever! 🙂
You’re definitely right, Erin. It’s finally beginning to soak in that I witnessed a big event in history. It didn’t quite hit me until I was on the plane and back home!
OH MY GOSH!! WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY!!!!! This is amazing!! I am so in awe of this entire post. Let me start at the top. First of all, completely unrelated, but HOW DO YOU STAY SO TINY with all the amazing sweets you create!?!?! TELL ME YOUR SECRETS!! You look amazing! OK moving on. I am sooo inspired by your ability to just HOP on the metro and travel all over the city (have you been there before???) I would be a big wuss and probably stay in my hotel..I need to live a little more.
As for the ticket in..amazing..absolutely amazing. This post is beautiful and I am so on board with EVERYTHING and I love that you were able to sit so close to these people!! LOVE that last photo!! LOVE ALL THESE PHOTOS! You deserved that VIP spot!
Thank you Brittany! It was my first time in DC, but because we had taken similar trains the night before to get to the Nationals game, it wasn’t quite as scary. (In all honesty, my original plan was to sit in the hotel room or a coffee shop and catch up on blog stuff!) But you… With all of your trips to Seattle, and going on so many hikes and to spin/yoga classes, and diving headfirst into a new job at Starbucks — you’re the brave and inspiring one!
And it’s just lots of running and lifting (fairly light) weights. Plus huge salads to balance out all of those sweets! 😉
Ahhhh I LOVE this post! What an INCREDIBLE opportunity to be there!!! Yes, the movement towards equallty IS about love and respect… You’re absolutely right that using “fighting” words to describe the movement takes away from that. Thank you for being such an inspiration, Amy! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you Andrea! I wish more people would realize that about the movement and start using positive words other than “fight” and “battle.” But as long as they inspire people to achieve the same thing, that’s what really matters in the end.
This is wonderful; it explains what we have lost, in politics, business, and in our personal relationships. Everyone these days seems to feel a need to quantify everything, when in reality, anything worth having cannot be gotten through commerce, fighting, arguing, or force. It must be bestowed…like love and respect. Great job putting it into words (and pictures!)
Thank you so much, Naomi! You’re exactly right — this is about all relationships in our lives, whether with strangers or close friends. I love how you phrased it, “It must be bestowed.” You’re a sweet and kindred soul!
Beautiful post. ;0)
Thank you Meredith! You’re so sweet to say so. 🙂
What an awesome experience! I admire your courage in doing this by yourself. I’m sure you’ll remember this experience for a long time. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and pictures.
Thank you Deb! You’re so kind; I really appreciate your comment.
Thank you, Amy, for sharing your thoughts with us… and for the rare perspective that we have to get beyond the fight and “winners” and “losers” to get to love and respect. What a wonderful, miraculous experience you had. And thank you for sharing the blessings.
My pleasure Donna. It’s refreshing and uplifting to hear that you appreciate my perspective, so thank you for your thoughtful comment!
So cool that you got a VIP ticket & got to see it all! Must have been very moving to be there!
It really was an incredible experience, to see people from all walks of life gathered to celebrate an inspiring man and for that common belief. Truly special!
Wow! So moving, so meaningful….your words, your photos. Lucky you!!
Thank you Sue, that’s really sweet of you to say!