by Dolores Klein, Peoria, IL

TODAY – The undermining of Human Rights’ gains is in full force, and we see Labor’s gain under attack with farmers and police officers coming forward in that struggle.

Progress has always required support from those seemingly not affected. We were saddened by the recent death of Geraldine Ferraro. Yes, we rejoiced that she courageously opened new possibilities for women, but we were reminded that Walter Mondale had decided to seek out a woman to run with him for Vice President.

Watching the attempt in Congress to defund Planned Parenthood, such men as Harry Reid forcefully and passionately backed the Women’s Caucus in personalizing what the losses to women would be.

As the anniversary is being celebrated of Jackie Robinson’s playing on a major league team, we were reminded that it was Branch Rickey’s taking the bull by the horns and forcefully demanding that Robinson play and be accepted that was an integral part of that history.

In the struggle for Suffrage, women were joined in campaigns by men like Frederick Douglas who at Seneca Falls said that “the vote was not too much to ask for!”

We have to resist being played off against each other. Lives have been lost in these struggles for equality. It’s little enough to ask that we speak out in a free society against all injustices.