Editor’s note: Karen Harris Tully is a writer who lives in Raymond and has agreed to keep a journal to share with Daily World readers during the odd and uncertain time we’re all navigating.

Dear Journal:

Happy Loving Day! June 12, the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Loving vs. Virginia that struck down laws banning interracial marriage. It’s only been 53 years since that day.

Also, Happy Pride Month! It’s only been five years this month that gay marriage was ruled legal nationwide.

This country has made important strides toward equality, but we still have a long way to go. And I want progress to happen now, now, NOW! But, mostly it’s slow and incremental, slow and painful. And yet we keep marching. Forward.

So this morning, I’m making a sign. Today, I get to exercise my First Amendment right to peacefully protest for something I believe in. The First Amendment is my favorite amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It reads:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

This is the cornerstone, the foundation of our country. It is our right to peacefully assemble and petition the government to make things better for All Americans. It is our duty to speak up for what is right. I wish we could all agree on what that is. But until then, I will use my voice to say, “All lives can’t matter until Black Lives Matter.”

Song of the day: America the Beautiful, Ray Charles version

Karen Harris Tully is a novelist living in Raymond with her husband and two small children. She writes sci-fi/fantasy for teens and adults and can be found at www.karenharristully.com.