Alka's Angle

Today. April 22nd is observed as Earth Day, every year by people around the globe, in an effort to promote awareness for the environment’s health. We all know the damage we have done to our planet and will continue if we do not try to change our ways of being and do what we can lower our footprint. Did you know -

As I write this, I am also watching the Historic Confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black female justice to the Supreme Court. I am reminded that last year Kamala Harris, of Black and Asian heritage was sworn in as the Vice President of the United States of America. Thirteen years ago Barack Obama became the President of this country and made history as the first Black person to be elected to this office.

Today is the first day of April - April 1st, also known as ‘April Fools Day,’ the day when folk, all around the world, play tricks on each other, but does anyone know how this day started? Interestingly no one seems to know how, when or where it started. There are many speculations but among all of that, one thing we do know is that April Fools Day dates back to at least renaissance Europe, but it may have originated long before then.

I listened to a Ted talk in preparation for this week’s sermon. In her talk titled “The Two Kinds of Stories We Tell Ourselves” Emily Esfahani Smith said chasing happiness can make people unhappy! I am sure this statement stopped you in your tracks - I know it did me. 

As we continue to journey through Lent and are reminded to take time to slow down and enjoy the places we find ourselves, in any specific moment. I also celebrate this moment in our history. On March 7th, the US Senate passed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, named after 15-year-old Emmett of Chicago, who was lynched in 1955, for allegedly whistling at Carolyn Bryant in Mississippi. The bill was first introduced in the House in 2019 by US Representative Bobby Rush of Chicago and is now headed to the President’s desk.