July is all about freedom. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of marriage.opps! I did it again! (Written in my best imitation of Britney Spears). Okay, let's try something else. Freedom to live wherever we want.unless it's in Black Jack, Missouri.

          Yes, isn't it kind of funny to hear the words "Black Jack" without envisioning gambling tables in our casinos? Yet, for those of us who are unmarried couples, Black Jack, Missouri is a very unlucky place for those who chose to do more than stop at the drive through for a burger and shake. In fact, Black Jack recently made national news with a decision that contradicts what the civil rights leaders of our time fought so hard to instill. Seems in Black Jack, you'd better be married, Jack!

          If you find yourself in Black Jack as an unmarried couple, you'd better hit the track, Jack. If you find yourself in Black Jack looking to live in a home without that piece of paper that proves wedded bliss, you'll find yourself on the street, Pete.

          Black Jack has an ordinance on the books that forbids unmarried couples to cohabitate together. Wait, let me check my calendar, is it 1906 or 2006? I digress. Not only does Black Jack have this ordinance on their books, they recently, yes very recently, not four score and 7 years ago.hmmm..come to think of it, maybe they should have tried living at the Gettysburg address.voted against Bill #963 to amend the definition of family in the housing and zoning codes. Bill #963 would have changed the existing ordinance to reflect the opportunity for unmarried couples with children to have the freedom to choose to live there, but the Black Jack City Council voted 5-3 against the amendment. Okay, maybe I'm being to hard on the city of Black Jack. This only applies to the unmarried who want housing! I haven't checked, but I guess it's okay to live in your car even if you're not married.

          If you think Black Jack is some Podunk little town, in the middle of nowhere, think again. Black Jack is a suburb of St. Louis, a mere 11.4 miles away. This city of 7,000 is comprised of 71% African American and 26% White according to their website.

          Amazing, isn't it? Amazing to think that there are still places in this great nation that evict the very core of our right to housing. Amazing to think that there are still places in this great nation where notice is given to those who do not fit into specific criteria, as outlined in old discriminatory ordinances, which override our basic endowment of freedoms that make us equal to our neighbors.

          I, for one, am so glad that God doesn't have such ordinances on the books. I, for one, am glad that God is an equal opportunity God whose vote is the only one that counts in the bigger picture. In God's house there are many rooms, all reserved and prepared for all of us. In God's house, you can hear the words, "Let freedom ring, let freedom ring!" Hallelujah!

---Newsflash--- The City Council of Black Jack, Missouri, voted to ban the Liberty Bell.there will be no more freedom ringing.