Issue 02

Dear Readers, On October 28th, I ran Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. The race began and I ran by flags of all countries participating in the run. Thirty thousand runners. In the twelfth mile, the blue mile, we ran by photographs of fallen soldiers. Many runners wept openly. I did too. America, notwithstanding the violence against Native Americans and African Americans, is a country of immigrants. But when did we put children at our borders in cages? When did we give up on protecting the environment? Then another shooting. A synagogue. Then another. A dance club. America, why this apathy to lives lost in gun violence? Our president speaks of the beauty of barbed wires on our borders, politicians send their prayers and wishes to families of victims. And I see a line that divides the country. The question, on which side of that line do we stand? What do we stand up for? For what do we take a knee? This last weekend, we hung up flags outside our own home—American, Indian and LGBTQ. America is about everyone having a voice, and for us, this was a simple act of patriotism. The second issue of Speak is dedicated to those who make a difference. Thank you for reading.