Were You Listening, America?
Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009
by Ronyae
Writings by Ronyae
President Obama's Inaugural Address stated the need of an American dream, and I would like to share an excerpt of it with you:
"...For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace..."
As stated in President Obama's Inaugural Address, we must believe that the lines of separation shall dissolve; this meaning that we must learn to stand as 'one' people. A nation of 'one'; America...land of the 'free'.
But America, seriously, we are NOT free, but shackled down by the weight of racial inequality, still. Sure America may have come a long way, but we still have a longer way to go. Here we have a man of great character in the highest position available in America, but we still have these shackles that have us only noting that he is a 'black' man. What does that matter? How does that make a difference in his decisions to operate our country? Color of a person doesn't decide the education, knowledge or capacity of a person, it just states the nationality. Being of a certain race doesn't state whether or not one is capable, but the drive for success does show who will win the race.
And I feel that it's high time for America to stand together for freedom, than to be separated by social barriers of differences. I also pray that we all overcome!
For my readers, this may just be an opinionated writing, but somewhere, somehow this needs to be placed in the hearts of many! Have A Blessed Day!
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Ronyae, that is an excellent article and I agree that the race card should never be played again. I did not vote for Obama, but his race had nothing to do with that decision. Now that he is president, he is mine as well as any one else's and I pray for him every day. I wish him every success and that he will make all of us proud. The worst problem is, he has taken the helm at a very bad time and if he suffers a few failures, he will be blamed whether or not he is truly to blame. We need to keep in mind that everything that happens is not within a president's ability to control.Joel,I couldn't have stated this [your comment] better myself, and I appreciate it as well. Thanks.And I'm also glad that you stated that even though you didn't vote for President Obama, that he still is indeed, your President, and those of us who totally support him thank you for the prayers; because as you stated: "...he has taken the helm at a very bad time and if he suffers a few failures, he will be blamed whether or not he is truly to blame. We need to keep in mind that everything that happens is not within a president's ability to control..." This is such a true statement...and prayers are what's needed to get through those times.~Best Wishes
I agree! I'm getting really tired of the race thing. I discovered an interesting dynamic when we were stationed in Germany for three years. When someone asked who we were, the standard reply was AMERICANS regardless of race, religion or descent. It would not even occur to most of us to say anything else. Yet here all we can think of is everything else. As far as I can see there will be this division until we think of ourselves as Americans and only Americans. If we insist on focusing on race and ethnicity, then that is what we will see and perpetuate.Val,Thanks for reading and sharing your comment. And like you, I was awakened at the reality of it all when I visted countries outside of the U.S....it's amazing how nothing else mattered, other than the truth of us being Americans. Now, that I can totally agree on.
You are right, Ronyae, although we have made great progress--due to men like Martin Luther King---we still have a long way to go. And as Mike Fak says, we will continue to have problems until we start looking at people as individuals.Thanks for a great article.SandraMs. Sandra,Oh yes, I totally agreed with Mike as well! Thanks for reading and sharing your comment...and BTW, I'm very grateful for souls like Dr. King and Obama! (just to name a few)
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