PURELY COMMENTARY for openers
Have You Heard?
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on’t you sit for a spell? No, I do not want you to just become comfortable; I need you to pay attention to your spelling. Yes, I know there is Spellcheck and now Autocorrect (“Did you mean Sy Manello Automatic?”). Editorial However, a lack Assistant of knowledge is causing us to miswrite our 140-plus characters due to homonyms/homophones. (And do not get me started on those wild abbreviations!) If you are wholly involved in accurate communication, you will not feel so holy if you get messed up with holly. You need to hear what you have written here and, except for the fact that you cannot accept criticism, do not
expect to be a clear communicator. Are word choices our only method of passing an hour? Your answer to that depends on whether you’re going to, despite the weather, brave it out with a dictionary. Bear in mind that you can bare your soul in writing, but also do it aloud so that you know the words you choose
are allowed. If you ail, some ale might be a remedy. Too much, however, might lead to an epithet being written for your epitaph. You will never get a medal if you meddle in other’s business. It takes nerves of metal to prove your mettle. Do not be so vain as to inject a vein of humor when
the weather vane of conversation indicates a serious mood. It is one thing not to waste food but you should not be over indulgent; be mindful of your waist. One idea that has won many hearts is to break bad news gently and to put a brake on overstepping bounds. If you can adapt to new ideas, then you can adopt new procedures. Never use a flower if you need flour; know that too much scent has often sent folks away from you; what you sow, so shall you reap. If all of this has proven too much to take in, remember two principles: Your principal investment in learning will get you through this phase of texting and nothing will ever again faze you.
guest column
Honoring the Past, Looking to the Future
Faith leaders call for passage of the Equality Act.
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ella Abzug was a force of nature. She was the first Jewish woman elected to the U.S. Congress and a leader in the women’s movement. Abzug, who died 23 years ago, served three terms in the House of Rabbi Representatives Michael in the 1970s. Moskowitz Ahead of her time, she championed progres-
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sive changes, co-authored and shepherded through passage of the Freedom of Information Act and the Right to Privacy Act. Abzug personified the beautiful Jewish tradition of tikkun olam by fighting for women’s rights and LGBTQ equality and nondiscrimination protections. On May 14, it will be 47 years since the first LGBTQ civil rights legislation was introduced into Congress. Bella Abzug launched that effort
with the Equality Act of 1974. With co-sponsorship of the bill by then-U.S. Rep. (and future New York City Mayor) Ed Koch, another venerated Jewish political and community leader, they pushed equality forward. Though this legislation has languished in the Senate, today, the LGBTQ and other progressive communities are urging Congress for protections following in the footsteps of the efforts of Abzug and Koch. Across our country, in the
absence of a federal law prohibiting LGBTQ discrimination, comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans have been passed state by state and city by city. While such progress is worth celebrating, a patchwork of civil rights laws is insufficient to guarantee consistent protections across the nation. That’s why I joined more than 200 faith leaders, including over 20 rabbis from communities across Michigan in signing continued on page 6
MAY 13 • 2021
