I have used this phrase many times over the years. It means to speak the truth to those in power. To open their eyes to injustice and wrongs. It was originally used by the Quakers in 1950’s to speak against fascism and totalitarianism. It is fitting this term comes to mind as we enter into a weekend in my community dedicated to raising awareness, acceptance and understanding for our friends and family who are LGBTQ.
To express the importance of “speaking truth to power” I have to share part of my family history. In 2005 I became a mother. I met the most beautiful baby boy, my son, Thomas Efrain James Monahan. He was named after my father, Thomas. We kept his birth name, Efrain, to honor his birth mother. We wanted to bless him with the name of our dear friend, and his Godfather, James (Jim). And last but not least his sir name is his father, Paul’s, Monahan. My son’s name carries the strength and legacy of men whom his father and I know to be honorable, loving, kind, smart and who speak truth to power. His name represents men who have fought for the rights of those who were unable to speak for themselves. His name represents men who looked past social norms to do what was right, not what was easy. His name represents men who embrace “all men are created equal with liberty and justice for all”. No matter the color, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation his name represents men who “speak truth to power”.
This weekend my son, my step-daughter and I will “speak our truth to power” and wear our “FREE MOM, SISTER & BROTHER HUGS” shirts at the 2019 Pride Festival in Golden Valley, MN. We will not tell anyone who they should love. We will simply speak our truth to power and offer free hugs for those who have been rejected by family, friends and loved ones because they are simply being their self. All people deserve to be happy. All people deserve to be respected. All people deserve to be seen as equal. All people deserve to be loved in all ways, always.
It is in speaking my truth to power that I am becoming my parents.
To express the importance of “speaking truth to power” I have to share part of my family history. In 2005 I became a mother. I met the most beautiful baby boy, my son, Thomas Efrain James Monahan. He was named after my father, Thomas. We kept his birth name, Efrain, to honor his birth mother. We wanted to bless him with the name of our dear friend, and his Godfather, James (Jim). And last but not least his sir name is his father, Paul’s, Monahan. My son’s name carries the strength and legacy of men whom his father and I know to be honorable, loving, kind, smart and who speak truth to power. His name represents men who have fought for the rights of those who were unable to speak for themselves. His name represents men who looked past social norms to do what was right, not what was easy. His name represents men who embrace “all men are created equal with liberty and justice for all”. No matter the color, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation his name represents men who “speak truth to power”.
This weekend my son, my step-daughter and I will “speak our truth to power” and wear our “FREE MOM, SISTER & BROTHER HUGS” shirts at the 2019 Pride Festival in Golden Valley, MN. We will not tell anyone who they should love. We will simply speak our truth to power and offer free hugs for those who have been rejected by family, friends and loved ones because they are simply being their self. All people deserve to be happy. All people deserve to be respected. All people deserve to be seen as equal. All people deserve to be loved in all ways, always.
It is in speaking my truth to power that I am becoming my parents.
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