Mr. Lincoln, Can We Borrow Your Vision?
Last Saturday night my husband and I went to see the movie Lincoln. It is really wonderful and inspiring—quite a history lesson. But in the interest of full disclosure, I have to admit that I slept a bit throughout the movie. I simply couldn’t help it. Lincoln’s voice (or should I say Daniel Day Lewis’s voice) was so calming and soft tempered it just put me to sleep. My husband was shocked that I closed my eyes because he was riveted the entire time.
While I was awake I kept thinking, “Oh, I hope this is what President Lincoln was REALLY like.” He was so wise, peaceful and confident. Yet, he had such a sense of humor and lightness about him. What a wonderful role model for all of us.
Lincoln had a very clear vision about ending slavery. There was no doubt in his mind that it was the right thing to do. At one point in the movie his frustration rose because of the lack of votes needed to pass the 13th amendment. He slammed his fist on the table in his office and said, “This has to happen. NOW!” He didn’t care how the last votes were acquired; the end of slavery HAD to happen.
I thought…I know that feeling. As a Sacred Feminist, I have felt that feeling of “This has to happen.” Hmmm….when did I feel that?? What issue was I just talking about like that??? Let me think…..oh my gosh….SLAVERY.
Just a few weeks ago I wrote a post titled “Why is there a market for sexual slavery?” The website Freetheslaves.net states that over 27 million people are enslaved throughout the world—more today than any other time in history.
Mr. Lincoln, I’m sorry. Almost one hundred fifty years ago you did your part to end slavery. Now, it’s time we do ours.
Free the Slaves writes on their website, “We see slavery and trafficking stories throughout the world each week. It’s great news that journalists and bloggers are exposing the problem of slavery, and examining solutions to it. Awareness creates momentum for change.” I am thrilled this organization exists and I support them not only via blog post but also with my donation. I hope you will consider doing the same. We do have the ability to “cure ourselves of slavery.”
Thank you, Mr. Lincoln, for your wisdom, clear vision, and perseverance. I will remember your words…
“Shall we stop this bleeding? We must cure ourselves of slavery. This amendment is that cure. We are stepped out upon the world’s stage now, with the fate of human dignity upon our hands. Blood’s been spilled to afford us this moment. Now, now, now!”
“As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.” A.Lincoln
One way to stop slavery is to stop the move to master others,the built-in fault in patriarchy, in my view. Duncan Newcomer
Ah yes! I am right there with you. What always blows my mind is that we hold Lincoln with such reverence, but fail to realize we can continue what he started. Mainly because we fail to realize slavery still exists.
We can do so much about it, too. We have influence in our government. I live in Northern VA and am part of an anti-human trafficking task force. In the rich suburbs of our nations capital law enforcement is just now learning how to recognize slavery here and it only became illegal and enforceable in our state level a few years back. We’ve had conversations with our district attorney who at first didn’t think we needed to be concerned with it! We can make Lincoln’s vision continue within our own neighborhoods- beyond just making donations – just by telling our local leaders we care!
So thank you for posting this, bringing more attention to something that matters.
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