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I’ll be driving down to Creating Change listening to Gregory Douglass trying to control his own “lucid” dreams. Somehow I’m always reaching for Gregory on long hauls, when I’m perplexed, depressed, cooking…even cleaning.  He has a divine knack of clearing my path.

Honored to be working with you now Daniel Hernandez Jr.! It was just a year ago, that those of us who judge Campus Pride’s Voice and Action award felt we had to specifically honor you with a Voice and Action Award for your awesomely inspiring courage.

Former Congressional intern credited with saving Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ). At 21 years of age, Daniel is hailed as a true American hero that represents us all. President Obama, Sen. John McCain, and Former Super Court Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor have all praised his heroic actions, while he rejects the title of hero.  Click on photo to read: 

LZ Granderson, who is African-American and gay, featured on ESPN in honor of Dr. King, the troubling case of the November death of Robert Champion. He wanted to put front and center, and make clear, that Martin Luther King Jr. was an apostle, emissary, and heroic leader for the cause of civil and human rights, across the board.   

Mr. Granderson told how, Robert Champion, African-American and gay, drum major for Florida A&M’s nationally renowned band, died of internal bleeding following an alleged hazing by his fellow bandmates in a bus after a football game.  Florida A&M is the nation’s oldest historically black college.  As Mr. Granderson related, 30 were on the bus when the alleged hazing occurred – and not one person has stepped forward to give testimony one what happened.

“But I still believe we shall overcome someday… We just lost sight of what it is we are trying to overcome. It isn’t racism. That’s too small. It’s injustice. Hate. Prejudice. And all those things come in various wrappings, just like love, dignity and respect. To truly honor King’s life’s work, to honor his dream, we can’t just count head coaches or even President Barack Obama’s presence in the White House. We have to get where we can see past what someone is and see who they are … even when doing so isn’t very popular. For, as King said: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Daniel Hernandez Jr., Gabrielle Giffords’ Intern on Anniversary of Tucson Shootings.

Huffington Post’s Latino Voices gives us an inside view into 21 year old Daniel, a U of Arizona senior and the hardworking son of a Mexican immigrant and a Mexican-American construction worker who still rejects defining himself as a hero.

Here’s to a year of greater freedoms, recognition, and busting out of confinement in narrow boxes!

Jason Stuart today on Huff Post Culture: When Opportunity Meets Talent

KINSEY SICKS “OY VEY in a MANGER” for the HOLIDAZE

“Only one a cappella group has remained steadfastly lewd, crude, and rapturously reviewed… Legendary for their succulence, sarcasm, and style, the Kinsey Sicks can easily shock and awe unsuspecting audiences… rollicking… never fail to bring down the house.”
- HUFFINGTON POST

Happy irreverent and joy-filled holidays all!