There are still too many instances of police neither protecting nor serving LGBTQ and other marginalized communities. But the response shouldn't be to ban LGBTQ police from a parade.
Interpretation
The quote advocates for the inclusion of marginalized communities in events while recognizing the failures of law enforcement.
Jonathan Capehart emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the shortcomings of police in protecting LGBTQ and marginalized communities. Rather than excluding these communities from parades, the focus should be on creating a more inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels safe and represented.
In practice
This quote could be shared at a pride event to promote inclusivity.
Isn't it sad that really the only times I feel seen as an American are when I'm abroad? I'm not saying racism doesn't exist outside of the United States. What I am saying is that the rest of the world can see that I'm American. Why is it so hard for so many White Americans?
The harsh truth is that 'respectability' is the exorbitant tax we African Americans are forced to pay daily as we try to live out our versions of the American Dream.
Caught in a racial uproar, people make all sorts of promises to make amends. Whatever they do tends to be heavy on symbolism and light on lasting change.
When you're Black in the United States, you grudgingly grow accustomed to having people deny that your existence is integral to everything that makes this country what it is.
Scapegoating is as American as apple pie. And because there's almost always a racial or ethnic dynamic to it in our country, scapegoating is the evil cousin of white supremacy.
When you're Black in America, you spend a lot of time counting firsts. The higher the first, the more we marvel (and shake our heads at how long it took to happen.) The higher the first, the more the person who achieved it comes to represent how we want the nation to see us.
He is courageous who endures and fears the right thing, for the right motive, in the right way and at the right times.
You can't get to courage without walking through vulnerability.
Let me not then die ingloriously and without a struggle, but let me first do some great thing that shall be told among men hereafter.
I would rather be alone and a loud voice for action than be silent.
Thus fear of danger is ten thousand times more terrifying than danger itself when apparent to the eyes ; and we find the burden of anxiety greater, by much, than the evil which we are anxious about.
For whatever trauma came with service in tough circumstances, we should take what we learned - take our post-traumatic growth - and, like past generations coming home, bring our sharpened strengths to bear, bring our attitude of gratitude to bear.
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