The Power of Acceptance

Every human being wants to be accepted for who they are and for what they stand for.

Not Accepted I say I support diversity, I’m an ally to everyone except YOU, YOU, and YOU.

Some people say they support diversity but turn around and don’t accept certain groups of people like uneducated people, people with handicaps, gays and lesbians, people of color and simply people who are different from ourselves.

The Cold Within James Patrick Kinney Six humans trapped by happenstance In dark and bitter cold Each possessed a stick of wood-- Or so the story's told. Their dying fire in need of logs, But the first one held hers back, For, of the faces around the fire, She noticed one was black. The next one looked cross the way Saw one not of his church, And could not bring himself to give The fire his stick of birch. The third one sat in tattered clothes He gave his coat a hitch, Why should his log be put to use To warm the idle rich? The rich man just sat back and thought Of wealth he had in store, And keeping all that he had earned From the lazy, shiftless poor. The black man's face bespoke revenge As the fire passed from his sight, For he saw in his stick of wood A chance to spite the white. And the last man of this forlorn group Did naught except for gain, Giving just to those who gave Was how he played the game, Their sticks held tight in death's stilled hands Was proof enough of sin; They did not die from cold without-- They died from cold within.

I say I support diversity, I’m an ally to everyone except YOU, YOU, and YOU. Not Accepted

Diversity is not a selective process. We are who we are and no one can change that.

First They Came for the Jews Pastor Martin Niemöller First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals & Transgender (GLBT) Month The month of June has been set aside to celebrate gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people. The theme for 2004 is “Show Your True Colors” based on the song True Colors.

You with the sad eyes; Don't be discouraged; Oh I realize; It's hard to take courage In a world full of people; You can lose sight of it all; And the darkness inside you; Can make you feel so small But I see your true colors; Shining through; I see your true colors; And that's why I love you; So don't be afraid to let them show; Your true colors; True colors are beautiful, Like a rainbow Show me a smile then, Don't be unhappy, can't remember; When I last saw you laughing; If this world makes you crazy; And you've taken all you can bear; You call me up; Because you know I'll be there And I'll see your true colors; Shining through; I see your true colors; And that's why I love you; So don't be afraid to let them show; Your true colors; True colors are beautiful, Like a rainbow (When I last saw you laughing); If this world makes you crazy; And you've taken all you can bear; You call me up; Because you know I'll be there And I'll see your true colors; Shining through; I see your true colors; And that's why I love you; So don't be afraid to let them show Your true colors; true colors; true colors; Shining through I see your true colors; And that's why I love you; So don't be afraid to let them show; Your true colors; True colors are beautiful, Like a rainbow True Colors Lyrics by Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg