R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Happy Friday Everyone!

Mr. Drake has been highlighting African American musicians with our morning music this week, and today's "guest" was Aretha Franklin.  Besides being a singer, Franklin was a songwriter, pianist, actress, and civil rights, activist.  Franklin died in 2018 but her body of work remains iconic.  One of her most famous songs is, R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Have a listen...

Franklin is asking for RESPECT for who she is and what she does, which is really what we all want right?  We want to be respected for who we are, what we do, what we bring to the world and the unique ways that we walk through the world.  I ask you all to keep in mind that the best way to get RESPECT is to give RESPECT.  It's pretty easy to move through the world with a negative frame letting ourselves think the worst about other people, their intentions, and their actions, but I encourage you to remember that everyone is fighting a battle that you have no idea about.  

Your ability to see another person's humanity in any given moment may just make or break someone's day.  

So when someone... 

...says something that offends you, stand up for yourself but stay kind, give RESPECT!

...cries or gets emotional, be there to listen or give space as needed, give RESPECT!

...when someone doesn't look like you, give RESPECT!

...when someone doesn't love like you, give RESPECT!

...when someone doesn't pray like you, give RESPECT!

...when someone doesn't learn like you, give RESPECT!

...If someone is struggling, give RESPECT!

As if spotlighting Aretha Franklin wasn't enough today, her reminder to give RESPECT is a great tie-in to another Black History Month spotlight.

Today I wanted to bring to your attention Bayard Rustin who was a civil rights organizer who was openly gay.  He was part of the movement in the '50s and '60s who through his skill at organizing, helped give a platform to Martin Luther King Jr.  A community organizer is an individual who works in communities to bring attention to issues that affect its members.  By giving issues time and attention, organizers work to find solutions to problems through fundraising, political activism, or awareness amongst those who can help make a differnce.  Essentially they work together with the community to solve social problems.  Former President Obama was a community organizer in his early career, and his dedication to the people of his community and his communication skills helped him climb all the way to the Oval office.  Bayard Rustin, unfortunately, was never given full recognition for his work because he was openly gay at a time where the combination of black and gay presented a big double whammy.  It was an incredibly tumultuous era to be an openly gay black man.  In this era, we still struggle with issues around celebrating differences rather than dehumanizing them, but we can and should give Rustin the spotlight he deserves today!  Would you like to know more about Bayard Rustin?  Check out this resource.  

RESPECT, Cougars!  

Have a great day!  

Mrs. Hempey