Happy Independence Day!

All patriots bleed red, white, and blue. America’s legacy of diversity emerged from its very inception. Even during the American Revolutionary War, people of a variety of different backgrounds worked together to achieve a common goal. Let us remember this example of unity (that existed sadly during a period marked by division and racism) as we strive to make this country a place where all people are treated with Dignity & Respect:

The casual student of the American War for Independence, when considering the role of African Americans in the Continental Army, might assume that they played no significant part. Usually the layperson will take for granted that African American patriots must have fought in segregated, “all-black” units, served simply as laborers in the construction of fortifications and camps, or as servants to wealthy army officers. Oftentimes, it is also presupposed that the attitudes of all Euro-American officers and enlisted men toward African American soldiers were categorically negative. However, upon reading contemporary accounts and strength reports, one will discover the legacy of the Continental Army regarding race: the Continental Army was the first integrated army in American history. Unsuccessful attempts were made during the war to segregate the Continental Army, but due to manpower needs these attempts did not diminish its racial integration. Unfortunately for history, it was the philosophy of racial segregation in the American military that survived the Revolution to be implemented in future American conflicts. Even so, during the American Revolution, Euro-American Continental Army officers and enlisted men recognized the necessity of tapping into the manpower available in the colonial African American population and embraced (although at times hesitantly) the inclusion of the African American citizen-soldier in the contest for American independence.  American citizen-soldiers of European and African descent who served in George Washington’s Continental Army during the Revolution were exposed to the first integrated army in America’s history.

Read more about America’s diverse beginnings here.

LGBT Support from the White House

During a recent interview, President Barack Obama became the first U.S. president to openly endorse gay marriage. While the administration has shown support for equal rights among all citizens in the past, the president recently decided that denying marriage to all was to deny basic human rights.

"What I've come to realize is that for loving, same-sex couples, the denial of marriage equality means that, in their eyes and the eyes of their children, they are still considered less than full citizens," said Obama in a recent blog post.

Some inroads for LGBT equal rights were made during the current administration. Prior to this announcement, the Department of Health and Human Services were directed to require federally funded hospitals to allow visitation rights for LGBT patients. Additionally, the White House hosted its first conference on bullying prevention, including bullying based on sexual orientation.

The White House's stance on LGBT equality comes as a welcome harbinger for the National LGBT Recognition Month, or Pride Month, this June, and concurrently a step closer toward dignity and respect for all of us.

June is National LGBT Pride Month!

June is National LGBT Pride Month!  Are you hosting a Pride Day this month in your area?  Pride Days for lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) people used to be celebrated at various times throughout the year but presidential declarations for a National Pride Month have now consolidated many of these celebrations in June:

 The most significant date in LGBT history occurring in June was the 3-day protest in 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, an event that marked the first time that the gay community joined together to fight for its rights, thereby gaining national attention. The anniversary of this event was one of the reasons June was chosen as the nationally proclaimed month to celebrate LGBT Pride.

Learn more about the holiday and what you can do to celebrate this month here:  http://ncfy.acf.hhs.gov/the-beat/2011/06/lgbt-pride-month

May’s Dignity & Respect Champion: Charlie Batch

Congratulations to Pittsburgh Steeler Charlie Batch, May’s Dignity & Respect Champion! 

When he's not on the football field, Pittsburgh Steeler Charlie Batch can be found working with his non-profit, Best of the Batch Foundation, and attending and helping out with community events and activities.

The work Charlie does in the community is limitless. In November, Charlie joined Ryan and the Dignity & Respect Campaign at the Thanksgiving Turkey Fixings Giveaway, where they donated dinner fixings to 100 families in Rankin, Pennsylvania. Also, Charlie was a secret Santa and delivered toys and household items to 30 families this past Christmas Eve.

Along with two Superbowl Championships, Charlie has received numerous awards including the first Jerome Bettis Award for Humanity and Community Service in 2006, the Schramm-McCracken Prize in 2002, and the Walter Payton Man of The Year Award, also in 2006. Among those great achievements, he feels that the Champion award is unique.

Charlie's life motto is "Proper preparation prevents poor performance," which is reflected in the work of the Best of the Batch Foundation. The Foundation is committed to providing underprivileged youth and their families resources to help them succeed in their lives, and serves the Homestead neighborhood.

Some of the educational programs the Foundation provides include the Reading and Computer Literacy Program, where kids work in the Foundation's computer lab to improve their math and science skills, and more. There is also Project C.H.U.C.K. (Continuously Helping Uplift Community Kids), where girls and boys 7-18 years old play 20 basketball games in attempt to make it to the Championship game, as long as they read and attend study halls.

Charlie is a significant supporter of the Campaign and serves as the spokesman for Dignity & Respect for Youth. Last October, he hosted the Dignity & Respect Youth Day with Ryan Mundy, where they talked with more than 2,000 kids about bullying, teamwork, and the value of treating everyone with dignity and respect. The event was so successful that he is already on board to host the 2012 teleconference this year, again in October, which is Dignity & Respect Month.

"My family and friends are big believers in the Campaign, and we continue to apply the structure of dignity and respect in our daily lives and spread it throughout the city of Pittsburgh," Charlie said.

Do you know an individual who makes a positive impact and promotes an environment of inclusion? If so, nominate the person in your life you feel has made a difference for the Dignity & Respect Champion Award!