The United States’ foundational documents were written with principles that are debated today with a passion that is still just as fervent as it was in the 18th Century. The Declaration of Independence included the concept of “inalienable rights” that were given to all men equally upon the point of their “creation”. The first of those rights mentioned was life; one of the hottest topics fixed into our political landscape today is also life – relative to abortion and war.The 1st Amendment to the US Constitution frames the idea of “the separation of church and state” by protecting establishment and the free exercise of religion. It’s apparent that the intent of the “separation” was for the protection of the Church while not explicitly defining a full severance of religion from politics. Time has allowed an implied divorce of faith and government that has facilitated tears in the moral material of the Pledge of Allegiance where our claim is that we’re a “Nation under God”.
So, we come to the point where we’ve celebrated the first year of our 1st President of African Descent who campaigned openly as a Christian… fighting for the rights of all – including the right for a woman to choose to abort a child, including fair representation of the civil rights for Americans from the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community, including the right for all US citizens to have basic Healthcare. And the challenge of balancing a conversation on religion, politics, preferences, and policy ensued.
I often listen to Christian talk radio which is quite thorough in expounding upon the religious views of the Christian Community. However, there are also popular talk shows hosted on some of these Christian radio stations that dive into politics. Some these shows can be extremely critical our President and the controversy his administration must try to manage. I feel many critics have been down right condensing and offensive. And as a Christian Black Man (like my President), I tend to take many of the criticisms personally.
Many attacks come on his position to be Pro Choice. I personally believe that creation begins at the moment of conception. So, as a US citizen, I feel at that point a unique being exists. And that being is endowed with the right to live, be free and pursue happiness and that any prohibitions of those rights are an injustice. I would also contend that there is a toxic perspective in our country that defends the notion that we can treat abortion as a form of birth control. So, as a Christian – I would fight for life with wreck less abandon and would argue to have a thoughtful restructuring to the way we approach the interpretation and implementation of Roe v. Wade on the state level. But as a man… I would never look a woman who has been violently raped in the eye and say… “You have no rights”. I could never look a woman who is facing death from unforeseen health complications induced by a pregnancy in the eye and say, “You have no rights”.
One of the most appalling statements I heard by a personality in Texas during the 2008 campaigning period was that “you’ve [black people] waited a long time for a black President – and you’ve waited too long to choose the wrong one”. And I find myself still wondering what on Earth was he really trying to say? Have we had the “right” Caucasian President in this election or any election before? If the definition of “right” is to be directly in line with biblical and ethical principle, can we expect any “right” candidate of any ethnicity ever win a “Popular Vote”?
How does a politician navigate such treacherous waters? How does a black person pursuing political success survive the opposing forces that exist in this country? Then – how do we the people (ALL the people) of the United States for a more perfect union in authentic support of our president?
Speak your mind!
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ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I want to acknowledge the brother First Thought who took the time out to articulate his thoughts and beliefs. Great job! I'll keep my comments short & sweet.
ReplyDeletePOLITICS: President Obama made it clear during his campaign for the Office that he would not be able to please everyone. Furthermore, the way American society is these days, it just wouldn't be politics if everyone was pleased and agreed on the same issues. There hasn't been a President elected from Congress since President Kennedy. Being that President Obama was recently a member, he understands the current culture of the Congress. For the most part, he knows which politicians are really about democracy, common sense, and moving the US forward. With that, he knows who's stubborn, old-fashioned, and really shouldn't be there. It would be great to do away with the political labels: democrat, republican, conservative, liberal, etc. That way, all politicians would be forced to be accountable, and not just fall in line and hide behind their party's ideologies. The political labels have brainwashed America for decades. Perhaps, if Congress could write and make law with a non-political label mentality, the U.S. could be more efficient and out of debt!
RACE: Race really shouldn't be an issue. We are all Americans. That's our race. Unfortunately, race will be a factor throughout President Obama's tenure and many years to come. No matter how much people try to hide it, race finds its way in to our daily conservations, video games, sports, politics, the internet, everything. It's a part of American culture. There are probably some politicians that will vote on legislation against the President solely based on their racist beliefs. They'd rather not confirm the truth, but rather hide behind their political label.
Sadly and shamefully, the U.S. differentiates individuals by a color. Not the actual color or pigment of their skin, but by a generic color: white/black. When in actuality, no one is literally white, and no one is literally black. Almost all countries classify their inhabitants by the actual country or continent they are living in, or are from. For example, a person from Japan is classified as being Asian, Japanese or when living in the U.S., Japanese-American. A person from the United States of America...white/black. Not American, not North American, but white/black. It's disgusting. When United States citizens visit other countries and continents, they are classified as and call themselves Americans...not as colors. Vice versa, when a citizen of another country or continent visits the U.S., they are classified as such, and not as a color.
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ReplyDeleteRELIGION: Perhaps the Constitution should be thrown out if our politicians are going to decide not to abide by it. A person's religious beliefs should not have anything to do with their political position on a topic. There are those that have labeled President Obama as being a Muslim just because of his name. How ignorant is that? Being that America is currently at war with Muslim fighters in the Middle East, does not give one the right to make that synonymous with an American politician just because of a name. Scare tactics are a desperate and lame attempt by ignorant groups and individuals to persuade. It does not matter which issues President Obama sides with, there is always someone on the other side prepared to launch a counter-attack, regardless of religion. If a politician were ever to say that he/she didn't care about or have an opinion on certain issues, they probably wouldn't have been voted in to office in the first place. American society demands that a choice be made as to where one stands on certain hot-button issues. There are times when these issues are paralleled with religious beliefs, and that shouldn't be the case. Politicians are human-beings, and therefore have feelings and past experiences in life that cause them to obtain and maintain a particular viewpoint. However, one would hope that the viewpoints are of ethical reasoning and not religious.
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All in all, the recent presidential campaign really brought out the ugly side of America. The grassroots efforts also brought out the potential that America has if it were to disregard the political, racial, and religious divide. All President Obama can do is be himself, not play favorites, and have zero-tolerance for ignorance. Yes, we have come a long way, and yes, we still have a long way to go. From the voluntary racial segregation in our prisons, to the military's homosexual policy, to the politics in Washington. The change in America begins in our homes with parents teaching our kids the importance of having values. Showing them how to choose their viewpoints because of what they believe, and not because of group's ideology. Instilling in them that there is no such thing as white or black, rather American. Preaching to them never to judge anyone or assume things based on their religious practice. There are those that will remain stubborn and ignorant, and there are those that will embrace and absorb equality for all. Which person will you be?