Monday, September 14, 2009

Are we really still there?

To set the stage, it is imperative that all the facts are presented. The President of the United States presented two important presidential addresses in one week. The first address was to the children of America encouraging them to stay focused and stay in school. He told them to ensure that they should work hard and do their very best. In the second address, he addressed the American people in regards to the state of health. He gave some high points and expectations as for his plan for healthcare as it relates to all citizens. Both addresses contained important information for those interested.

The first address was for our children. In this day and age, our children need all the encouragement that they can get. Many times our children are confused or apprehensive about their futures. Their uncertainty may be brought on by their surroundings or even their home life. Our President chose to address the children and give them some encouragement. To let them know that they can reach their dreams if they work hard. Instead of parents praising him for taking an interest in our children, they began with their own childish antics. Without even listening to his message, they had decided that his message was intended to brainwash their kids. These same parents going so far as to put unnecessary pressure on school officials hoping to deny all students the chance to hear what the president had to say. Some school officials would not be bullied by some parents, but they provided an alternative for those choosing not to listen to the presidential address. Some officials went so far as to disallow the address from being presented statewide.

But what is unclear is why? Why deny your child the opportunity to be addressed by a public figure such as the President of the United States? Why come unglued about a message that was designed to be encouraging? Or bet yet, why deny the President of the United States of America the opportunity to speak to your child? We are supposed to be a nation of understanding and compassion and yet some of us still behave like primitives. Like we lack the ability to look beyond the color of someone’s skin and see the individual instead. But we are not there yet. Especially when a parent made a public display because two of her three children still watched the message against her wishes. Show your true colors, why don’t you?

Then in the second address dealing with healthcare, a public figure (senator), yells out during the message and calls the President a liar. Now this type of behavior was beyond reproach. Why is it that a Senator felt it was his responsibility to disrespect the Head of State? With all the presidents that have taken office over the years, no Senator or Representative has ever been that disrespectful. Yet many individuals did not feel there was nothing wrong with his behavior. Is that the message we want to send our children? That it is okay to be disrespectful to our elected public officials on national television. What message are we really sending out? That the color of skin is still an issue and that racism is still the driving force in our nation.

So the question remains, are we really still there? There have numerous people who gave their lives so that our nation could be overcome our racist past. Yet here we stand today and that behavior is still prevalent. Too many individuals are afraid of change and can’t imagine a better America only the nation that they have grown accustom to. There is hope for this country and there is still the possibility for change. That was proven with the election of the first African American President. It is time for those that have chosen to revel in their poisonous thinking to rethink their beliefs. This country is moving in a new direction that will take us to new heights.

Stop looking at color and start looking at the man!