Inauguration Inspiration
I am more often than not very critical of the country in which I live. I admittedly do not have a lot of pride in the US. Many things rub me the wrong way...why we can't get our act together and have free healthcare like other countries do, why we're so attached to our guns, why we have this entitled view that somehow God favors us above other countries....I could go on and on. But that's not why I'm writing this.
This morning I saw part of the Presidential Inauguration (as much as the kids would allow me) and I was inspired to change my view. One of the people who spoke was a female civil rights activist. And it hit me, there have been countless people in US history who have had more reason than I to question or doubt our country; but instead they persevered and CHANGED it. A news anchor was talking to a woman who had pictures of her family, some who were slaves, pinned inside her coat. She was talking about how far we've come that for a second time an African American is being sworn into office. She spoke with tears in her eyes, with hope and inspiration in her voice.
Of course I learned about US history in school. Maybe it was learning about those things...stealing land from the Natives and slavery being among them...that contributed to my resentment of this country. But maybe that was the wrong reaction. Yes, there have been and are many flaws...and often, "the grass looks greener on the other side"; but who am I, living in 2013 with freedom and rights, to talk crap? I come from German, Russian and Norwegian descent. My ancestors came here, why? Well I definitely want to research that more. I'm sure they experienced oppression and discrimination of sorts, as do most people unfortunately...but they were not slaves.
In conclusion, there are countless reasons to doubt and question and be angry. There are probably more reasons to have hope, to be encouraged and to persevere. I am proud to live in a country where Barack Obama is president. I am proud to live in a country where slavery was abolished and women were given equal rights. I am proud to live in the USA...? Wow, I guess I am.
This morning I saw part of the Presidential Inauguration (as much as the kids would allow me) and I was inspired to change my view. One of the people who spoke was a female civil rights activist. And it hit me, there have been countless people in US history who have had more reason than I to question or doubt our country; but instead they persevered and CHANGED it. A news anchor was talking to a woman who had pictures of her family, some who were slaves, pinned inside her coat. She was talking about how far we've come that for a second time an African American is being sworn into office. She spoke with tears in her eyes, with hope and inspiration in her voice.
Of course I learned about US history in school. Maybe it was learning about those things...stealing land from the Natives and slavery being among them...that contributed to my resentment of this country. But maybe that was the wrong reaction. Yes, there have been and are many flaws...and often, "the grass looks greener on the other side"; but who am I, living in 2013 with freedom and rights, to talk crap? I come from German, Russian and Norwegian descent. My ancestors came here, why? Well I definitely want to research that more. I'm sure they experienced oppression and discrimination of sorts, as do most people unfortunately...but they were not slaves.
In conclusion, there are countless reasons to doubt and question and be angry. There are probably more reasons to have hope, to be encouraged and to persevere. I am proud to live in a country where Barack Obama is president. I am proud to live in a country where slavery was abolished and women were given equal rights. I am proud to live in the USA...? Wow, I guess I am.
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