We continue to hear “We have the lowest Black unemployment in history.” Which is good, but…At the same time there is little movement towards rectifying injustices or unifying all of us as a country. A Job is a start but is only one component of a quality life. People desire to be treated Equally and with Respect. Note…there was no equality or respect when the lowest ever Black unemployment (Slavery) existed prior to 1865 and the passing of the 13th Amendment making slavery illegal.
If the environment you live in still institutionally by way of law, policies and past practices continues to oppress and ignore you, the job is only a means of survival not opportunity. Slavery officially ended 153 years ago and today we still have the Neo Nazi, militias, alt-right and other similar groups taking center stage.
Some may not know it, But David Duke, self-identified Klansman coined the phrase “Make America Great Again” in the 1960’s. Of all the people I know who support the “make America Great Again agenda have yet to explain to me when was “Again” 1960, 1944, 1925, 1850, when? I’d just like to better understand the logic.
I do know it appears Whenever our country moves to unite, the evil spirit of division raises its head. I am reminded of 1 Peter 4:8 it reads “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” I believe if we had more people who not only read the word but also do the word this world would be a better place.
Our Country’s pledge of allegiance could not be any plainer when it states:
I pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.
It is apparent that by the current state of our great union that there are many who call themselves patriots and take great pride in boasting about protecting the flag, judging others as to who qualifies as an true American, and at the same time have a total disregard for the last five words of the pledge allegiance they all learned in school. My father used to say to me when summing a situation that “all” is the whole quantity of anything. Until we get to a place where all people in this country are treated equal and justice is served the same for each individual regardless of status or ethnic background, we are not living up to the values so clearly stated in the pledge of allegiance. The pursuit of this great nation should continue toward a more perfect union, and not a return to the ills of the past. Equality and justice is not a privilege, it’s a right afforded to all under the constitution.
I have learned, the most dangerous bigots and racist are those who don’t know they’re a bigot or racist. Promoters of Fear have the ability to bring out the worse in people.