A More Perfect Union
It was on September 17, 1787, that the framework for a government of the people by the people and for the people was built. The Constitution of the United States of America was finalized on that day and later ratified by the thirteen American states.
The Preamble to our great Constitution served as our government's missio statement. And while the framework certainly made for a better and more progressive government the world had ever known, it was a Constitution riddled by grave error. It allowed, as we all know, for slavery to exist and even went so far as to allow slaves to be counted as 3/5 of a person. Racism -- America's horrible black mark -- was born.
It took eighty years and a near Union-breaking war to end slavery, but the black mark was still present. For the next hundred years, an entire segment of our American population were relegated to second-class citizen -- unable to vote, unable to attend the same schools, unable to even use the same restroom or eat at the same table as first class (white) citizens. Even immigrant populations, also subject to racism and oppression, had the fortune of being born with the right skin color and were eventually allowed to assimilate into white society.
It took the courage of great men and women to challenge the hypocracy that plagued America. Booker T. Washington, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Malcolm X and others stood up and challenged what was wrong. Perhaps the greatest among these courageous heroes, Martin Luther King, marched to Washington and declared to the world that "I have a dream".
Last night, as I watched the celebrations take place in Chicago, New York, Washington and elsewhere, as I saw the tears streaming down Jesse Jackson's cheeks, I quietly joined in the celebration. Last night, after John McCain graciously conceded defeat and Barack Obama took the stage as the President-Elect, I realized Martin Luther King's dream has been realized.
Today I am happy and hopeful for America. There are so many reasons for my joy I cannot begin to expound on them today. Political reasons I shall leave for another day. But today I am rejoicing because our nation rose above its past. America truly lived up to its self-appointed title as the beacon of liberty. In a fair election where more of its citizens voted than at any time in recent memory -- if ever -- Americans chose a black man to be its leader.
Any mother, any father, in any part of this nation, can look upon their child and, regardless of race, gender, religion, ancestry or sexual orientation, believe with all honesty that she or he can achieve anything.
Today, we have become a more perfect union.
The Preamble to our great Constitution served as our government's missio statement. And while the framework certainly made for a better and more progressive government the world had ever known, it was a Constitution riddled by grave error. It allowed, as we all know, for slavery to exist and even went so far as to allow slaves to be counted as 3/5 of a person. Racism -- America's horrible black mark -- was born.
It took eighty years and a near Union-breaking war to end slavery, but the black mark was still present. For the next hundred years, an entire segment of our American population were relegated to second-class citizen -- unable to vote, unable to attend the same schools, unable to even use the same restroom or eat at the same table as first class (white) citizens. Even immigrant populations, also subject to racism and oppression, had the fortune of being born with the right skin color and were eventually allowed to assimilate into white society.
It took the courage of great men and women to challenge the hypocracy that plagued America. Booker T. Washington, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Malcolm X and others stood up and challenged what was wrong. Perhaps the greatest among these courageous heroes, Martin Luther King, marched to Washington and declared to the world that "I have a dream".
Last night, as I watched the celebrations take place in Chicago, New York, Washington and elsewhere, as I saw the tears streaming down Jesse Jackson's cheeks, I quietly joined in the celebration. Last night, after John McCain graciously conceded defeat and Barack Obama took the stage as the President-Elect, I realized Martin Luther King's dream has been realized.
Today I am happy and hopeful for America. There are so many reasons for my joy I cannot begin to expound on them today. Political reasons I shall leave for another day. But today I am rejoicing because our nation rose above its past. America truly lived up to its self-appointed title as the beacon of liberty. In a fair election where more of its citizens voted than at any time in recent memory -- if ever -- Americans chose a black man to be its leader.
Any mother, any father, in any part of this nation, can look upon their child and, regardless of race, gender, religion, ancestry or sexual orientation, believe with all honesty that she or he can achieve anything.
Today, we have become a more perfect union.
posted by E-Luv at 10:09 AM
2 Comments:
One of Mr. Big Mouth's best pieces! Well Done/Written! -Tango
P.S. ...PALIN 2012!!!
Heaven forbid!!
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