I just learned that December is Human Rights Month. If ever there was a need for reaffirming our values in this regard, it is now, when hate, violence, and prejudice loom large in our lives. Here is a personal pledge made by a minister who pulled off to the side of the road and wrote this for himself. I hope everyone who reads this will make it a personal mission to have these goals become reality in our time. The world would truly be a better place.
 The Birmingham Pledge—
 I believe that every person has worth as an individual.
I believe that every person is entitled to dignity and respect, regardless of race or color.
I believe that every thought and every act of racial prejudice is harmful; if it is my thought or act, then it is harmful to me as well as to others.
 Therefore, from this day forward I will strive daily to eliminate racial prejudice from my thoughts and actions.
I will discourage racial prejudice by others at every opportunity.
I will treat all people with dignity and respect; and I will strive daily to honor this pledge, knowing that the world will be a better place because of my effort.
This article appears in Dec 17-24, 2009.