Washington State Human Rights Commission

7/2/06 Remarks by Kathy Baros Friedt,

Chair, Washington State Human Rights Commission,

at Unity in the Community Event,

Olympia, Washington

I was taught that family, education, self-respect, and steady…persistent…unrelenting…. commitment to social change were the components for a life worth living.

To paraphrase, Cesar Chavez, a man who believed in nonviolence, in persistence, and a great leader of the Chicano movement,

“ Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot UNeducate the person who has learned to read.

You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride.

You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore”

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We have a great deal to be proud of in this community. We cannot let ourselves…or even strangers among us…. be made to feel afraid.

We have many differences. But we DO stand here today….and I hope for all days on end to come…..celebrating that which is the best in all of us.

Thank you for celebrating with your community here today. Make “building community” part of your own plan of action. Thank you. Kathy Baros Friedt, Chair WSHRC.