Touching moments of Inclusion
When you hear a song does it move you? What a wonderful rendition of the original American singer-songwriter Ben E. King's song,"Stand by Me" at last weekend's royal wedding. Just to let you in on a secret, not only is it a popular wedding tune and my favorite song of all time, this very song has the power to make me cry.
Contrary to the lyrics "I won't cry, I won't cry, No I won't shed a tear," I can't help myself. By the last stanza in King's plea, "Whenever you're in trouble won't you "Stand by Me," without fail, you'll hear a snivel.
Looking back, as one of the 750 million people who watched the wedding of Princess Diana in 1981 I expressed heartfelt tears of joy. Then to see her boys tie the knot in 2011 and just recently the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle, both these times were happy occasions.
I believe every wedding is a happy occasion except when you're invited to culturally diverse weddings you can't help feeling like an intruder or foreigner upon first arriving. Assessing from the outside in, you begin by comparing cultures, wedding traditions, similarities of extravagant display of cultural dress and food. Not to mention your radar is also scanning for finer details such as similarities in cultural identity before it hones in to prove another important planning detail like "rubber time" aka "stretchable time." If there's one thing I dislike it's lack of respect for time and adherence to the event schedule.
As an unrelated guest, you feel like you stand out from others. Like you don't belong. Somewhat like "them" and "us." Kind of like separate clans; "Them" the outsider vs "Us" those that reflect the norm. Thankfully the familiarity of music, culture, the English language or having a host or two go out of their way to make you feel welcome, all help to create a sense of honor and privilege to be present at the special event.
It goes without saying the groundbreaking wedding ceremony of Meghan Markle was a historic event. Before a global stage, the ceremony was unapologetically different. It was a multicultural wedding defying tradition and history to represent a more inclusive and royal family. The ceremony reflected Markle's biracial heritage as well as "symbolize modern, multi-cultural, multi-racial Britain".
The revolutionary moment occurred in St. George's Chapel.
The first black leader of the Episcopal Church, Bishop Curry delivered a lengthy sermon on the power of love. Do you agree with the Bishop "Love is the only way?"
The first black musician, Kanneh-Mason, a 19 yo cellist who won the BBC's best young musician award entertained the audience by playing soulfully and majestically.
Finally hearing the predominantly black Kingdom Choir, a group of magnificent powerhouse vocalists, mostly women, sent shivers through my spine when they sang "Stand by Me".
These three pieces of entertainment delivered very powerful touching moments of inclusion for many people across the globe. Regardless of color, religion, culture, ability, gender or orientation, inclusion is simply creativity. Enabling people to feel happy connections offers the same power as love.
Yes, the world is in trouble... Race, gender disparity, Islam, color, status and other issues have become controversial issues in and outside the royal monarch. After his engagement to Meghan, Prince Harry had to release a statement requesting social media trolls cease the abuse and harassment of his biracial fiance.
Moving forward into the second half of 2018, don't be afraid of anyone or anything and most certainly don't cry. Whenever you're in trouble... know someone of a different color, language, religion, orientation or culture will be standing by you.