Love can be bittersweet, especially when it comes to love of country. As we begin 2025 with so many areas of the world where human rights are being openly violated, it brings to mind a time in our country’s past when lynchings were used as a very visible form of domestic terrorism. The song “Strange Fruit” was written as a poem by a white Jewish teacher, Abel Meeropol, from the Bronx because he was so horrified. That poem was eventually recorded and sung by a black Baltimore jazz singer, Billie Holiday.
As we begin 2025, the history of the United States’ human rights violations may serve as a beacon of light to democracies around the world as how to not only survive but how to improve the human rights for all members in society. America has not achieved perfection, but it has shown that people of good faith can make a difference. Just as Abel and Billie and others in the past did, we must continue to use our words as weapons.
SLD embraces the ABA Goal IV: Advance the Rule of Law. The objectives to advance this goal are:
SLD has many committees that members are welcome to join that will provide an opportunity for you to find your voice. Recently, our International Committee, in partnership with members of LAWASIA, held a meeting to discuss the brief imposition of martial law in Korea and what it may mean for Korea’s future and the greater global community. SLD International Committee: Is the Rule of Law a Broken Ruler? Exploring Democratic Resilience, Challenges and Lessons from Korea and Others
Please consider donating $40.00 to SLD as we begin our 40th year of providing you with opportunities to keep speaking up. $40 for 40!
