I would like to thank Rosemary Phillips for her lovely informative letter and for a very important reminder that we all see life from our own perspectives.
When the crosswalks by city hall were painted with rainbows my first reaction was one of offence. Not that I have anything against the LGBT community but because I was raised by a mother and father who were both practicing Christian ministers. Therefore I was raised to see the rainbow as a symbol of God’s covenant with Noah to never again destroy the earth by flood.
Since I believe in not judging people, I also choose to perceive that covenant as God’s choice to not judge and condemn the masses of mankind in such an overwhelming way again. It has stood as a sign of that covenant, in oral or written form for approximately 4,500 years.
Rosemary’s letter pointed out that it has only been adopted as a symbol of the LGBT community for 38 years, while also informing me of many other connotations associated with this symbol and how it holds meaning around the world in different cultures and for other organizations.
I was unaware of who widespread usage of this symbol was and of many of its associations. I especially enjoyed the concept of the rainbow as a bridge between heaven and earth, how beautiful is that though.
So whether we see those crosswalks as a symbol of our faith whatever our faith may be, as a symbol of an organization, or cultural tolerance and inclusivity, or even as a nostalgic reminder of the Care Bears of our youth, we can all choose to see them in the light of our personal life perspectives and enjoy the beauty of their colours and symbolism in our own way.
– Debbie F. Battrick, Grand Forks
