![]() And so, the rainbow represents not just Pride Month, but also a shared understanding that LGBTQI+ rights are human rights. And for persons who embody both Black and LGBTQI+ identity, these movements are inextricably linked. Supporters of these movements – LGBTQI+ Pride on the one hand, Black Lives Matter on the other – insist that the government give all citizens equal treatment under the law. states.Īlthough born of tragedy, the murders of Harvey Milk and George Floyd both advanced social movements that broadened the way Americans think about human rights. The flag came to symbolize LGBTQI+ pride, and in 2015, the colors of the rainbow flag lit up the exterior of the White House to commemorate the legalization of same-sex marriage in all 50 U.S. When Milk was assassinated in 1978, demand for the flag – and protections for LGBTQI+ people – increased. The history of the rainbow flag is tied to gay California politician Harvey Milk, who challenged a friend to come up with a symbol celebrating the diversity of the gay experience. embassies in the Caribbean have in common this June: They will all demonstrate their support of LGBTQI+ Pride Month. policy toward and partnerships with 34 countries in the region, thirteen of them in the Caribbean. After I worked my way up the ranks, President Biden appointed me Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs last year, making me one of the highest-ranking Black diplomats in the Biden-Harris Administration. And before him, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Emmitt Till, and too many more.īecause of my certainty that our diversity strengthens my country, I celebrate my decision to represent the United States as an American diplomat. Two years earlier, millions of other Americans and I witnessed in shock and grief the final eight minutes of George Floyd’s life in Minneapolis. I love the diversity of the United States of America even though the scars of my country’s original sin – the sin of slavery – continue to regularly reopen, including recently when a white supremacist gunned down ten Black shoppers and employees at a supermarket in Buffalo. However, landing on the soil where my ancestors toiled, in the place that they loved, where people I saw on the street might be distant relatives, felt particularly exhilarating.Īnd yet, I am eternally grateful for my grandparents’ decision to move to a country made up of people with roots from all over the world, of fellow Americans who look nothing like me, and those who do. Many Black Americans – diplomats or otherwise – are transported by the feeling of freedom and security that comes from circulating in a country where the majority of the people look like us. Many other African American diplomats have had this experience too. In May, during my visit to Barbados and The Bahamas, the symbolism of traveling as an African American diplomat to a majority Black country lifted my spirits. They certainly never imagined their grandchild would grow up to become an American diplomat, and eventually return to Barbados as an official representative of the United States. Meanwhile, Parliament said that it had taken note of Gcaleka’s intention to withdraw Mkhwebane’s court appeal and would await any further directions from the court.When my grandparents emigrated to the United States from Barbados, they didn’t know if they would manage to make a life for themselves in the U.S. "Public Protector South Africa will fund Advocate Mkhwebane’s challenge of her suspension, her defence during the impeachment proceedings," Segalwe said. He said that some legal pending challenges would be funded. The recession application pending in front of the Constitutional Court, part B of the application in the Western Cape High Court and the defamation of character lawsuit which is a private matter." "The Public Protector South Africa will not fund Advocate Mkhwebane’s appeal against the recent decision of the Western Cape High Court where she sort to obtain an urgent interdict to prevent her suspension. Spokesperson, Oupa Segalwe, said that the Public Protector would not fund certain parts of the application, like her defamation lawsuit against the Democratic Alliance (DA). Gcaleka detailed the office’s position on suspending Mkhwebane’s legal woes in a statement on Thursday.Īcting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka on Thursday all but distanced the Chapter Nine institution from Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s legal fight to stop her suspension and a parliamentary inquiry. ![]() The Public Protector will also not fund the suspended Mkhwebane’s rescission application pending before the Constitutional Court, which all but paved the way for Parliament’s inquiry. CAPE TOWN - Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has confirmed that her office will not fund Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s High Court appeal to urgently interdict her suspension.
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