I stand for the under dog,
Those who’ve been counted out instead of counted in,
Excluded instead of included,
Discouraged instead of encouraged,
Told that you would never make it, take it, or be able to shake it.

I stand for the down trodden,
The oppressed, depressed, and suppressed,
The people that don’t have enough,
Aren’t smart enough or pretty enough,
Aren’t skinny enough or popular enough.

I stand for those who weren’t supposed to be here,
Those who weren’t supposed live,
Those who weren’t supposed to dance, sing, speak, or walk.

I stand for those who got knocked down,
Pushed aside, walked on, and run over.

I stand for the illegitimate, unexcused, and misunderstood,
I stand for the looked over and outright disregarded.
I stand for the cast out, cast away, underrated, and unappreciated.
I stand because I have feet that are firmly planted on something I believe in.
I stand because I have legs that have not buckled under the pressures of life.
I stand because I have a heart that won’t give up.
I stand because my arms are interlocked with others who also stand.
I stand because of my dream.
I stand because of the God who stands in me.

And so today I stand.

Tim Jones – A Dreamer’s Diary (Nov 30, 2005