We are in this Together - A Necklace Benefitting ACLU

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

- Martin Luther King Jr.

While many things have bothered me about the news of the past month, one of the ones that has hit me the deepest is the current effort on the federal level to eliminate DEI - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.  And here's why: for over a decade, I worked for the interfaith environmental nonprofit GreenFaith.  I helped faith communities across every diverse religion and spirituality to learn how to protect the environment.  Not only was the environmental component of what we did important, but the interfaith learning was vital - and always one of the most beautiful things to witness.  When you can get people of such polar opposite beliefs into a room working together, magic happens.

Much of my work at GreenFaith touched on Environmental Justice, or the idea that particular communities are most impacted by environmental degradation.  Those same communities are some of the ones that the current administration does not want to focus on or regard. 

Now, this is not a political post, although most of you know my political leanings.  It's a post to highlight the fact that when we focus on, research, uplift and support DEI initiatives, it helps every effort to be more successful and more rich.  Eliminating these programs sets a dangerous precedent where the horrific history of racism and phobias in this country can take deep root again.

While my current work as an artist differs from my activism in the past, I do have a voice and I wanted to offer a piece of art that you can wear if you also believe DEI is vital.  

When I asked all of you for words that resonated with you around DEI, the word "together" emerged.  Together in speaking out, and together in community.  For it's the local community in particular that will be the game changer in the coming years without the focus on DEI at the federal level. 

This together necklace, which comes in sterling silver and gold, is a beautiful way to wear this sentiment each day, showing your support. Half of all proceeds from this necklace will be sent to the ACLU - American Civil Liberties Union - one of the most influential groups in the country working to protect the rights of ALL people. 

How will you be using your voice, your art, your work, to speak out on this important issue in the coming years?