Kahlil Gibran.

He was called "filthy" because his skin was dark, unintelligible because he could barely speak English. When he arrived in this country, he was placed in a special class for immigrants. But, a few of his teachers saw something in the way he expressed himself, through his drawings, through his view of the world. He would soon master his new language.

His mother had made a difficult decision to take him, his two younger sisters and a half-brother to America, seeking a better life for their family. They settled in Boston's South End, at the time the second-largest Syrian-Lebanese-American community. The family would struggle and the young boy would lose one sister and his half-brother to tuberculosis. His mother would die of cancer.

He would write, “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.”

He was born in poverty on January 6, 1883 in what is now modern day Lebanon. He believed in love, he believed in peace, and he believed in understanding.

His name was Kahlil Gibran, and he is primarily known for his book, "The Prophet." The book, published in 1923, would sell tens of millions of copies, making him the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Laozi.

Published in 108 languages around the world, passages from "The Prophet" are quoted at weddings, in political speeches and at funerals, inspiring influential figures such as John F. Kennedy, Indira Gandhi, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, and David Bowie.

He was very outspoken, attacking hypocrisy and corruption. His books were burned in Beirut, and in America, he would receive death threats.

Gibran was the only member of his family to pursue education. His sisters were not allowed to enter school, primarily because of Middle Eastern traditions as well as financial difficulties. Gibran, however, was inspired by the strength of the women in his family, especially his mother… (Peter Brouwer).

Do you know how many witches the Inquisition burned?

None.

It wasn't witches who burned, it was women.

Beautiful, cultured and smart Women Women accused of having water in the well or for cultivating and caring for their beautiful plantation. They were convicted of having a birthmark, being skilled in herbal medicine, being tall, black or redheaded.

They condemned those who showed a strong connection to nature, those who danced or sang. To the ones who looked happy. To those who looked independent and powerful.

For the Holy Inquisition and many other groups throughout history, every free-spirited woman should have been burned or thrown into the water. If it floated it was guilty and executed. If she was sinking and drowning she was found innocent and then her soul would go to heaven.

Many, thousands of them were thrown off the cliffs or placed into deep holes in the ground by beings who felt superior to them, almost gods.

Why do I even write this?

Because knowing history is important when it comes to building a new society and a new world. It is urgent to give a voice to all women in honor of those who were humiliated, humiliated, beaten, tortured and slaughtered. Long live independent, strong and powerful women.

It wasn't witches who burned, it was... women"… (By Carolina Valerio).

George Benson and wife Johnnie have been married for 58 years since 1965. Happy 81st birthday George Benson.