So what is an American? An #education question

One of the interesting things about the political season is that it gives you plenty of things to write about, and since this an education question I am keeping this as politically neutral as possible (even though I know some will be offended no matter what).

Let us look at some current political buzzwords:

• We need to take this country back
• Political correctness
• Marshall law (yes spelled this way)
• Destroying everything this country was built on
• Act like an American (speak American)

I could go, but let us stop here for now and look at the context of these words.

If we took this country back, my marriage to my wife would be illegal, slavery, lynching, and segregation would be strong. This country was built on the backs of poor people, specifically black slaves, so yes, we do want to destroy the mentality that says it is ok to sell people, separate their families and make them work until they die, all the while telling them they are only 3/5 of a human? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9T2C-TXavk

News flash, the army is not going to take over and occupy Texas or any other state, do not believe the hype of Jade Helm 2015 (this does not mean we do not have issues, especially with the militarized police force). http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/operation-jade-helm-is-not-a-military-takeover-of-the-a-1700890963

Act like an American? This is a country with so much diversity, so many cultures, etc: so what exactly does that mean? Native Americans certainly have something to say about what that means. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sarah-palin-donald-trump-american_55ec4d8ce4b03784e27619b3?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

 

These are things that are being said by people running for the office of president of the United States, these are things being said by people who are currently occupying political offices, and these are things being said by people who are supposed to be our leaders.

Since when have we accepted such blatant disrespect for the office of the president? Since when has it been ok to publically discuss removal of a sitting president “by any means necessary”? You might not like him, and that is your right as an American; however, remember the country voted for him twice. I wonder what is so different about this particular president that is causing such casual and commonplace disrespect for the office? Rhetorical question because we know the answer. http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/01/13/1440471/colin-powell-condemns-republican-party-racism-there-is-a-dark-vein-of-intolerance/

This should not be a country of hate but a beacon of hope, a beacon of light. It should and can be example of unity, possibilities, and success. We need to be more than just tolerant; we must truly love thy neighbor: that is what it means to be an American.

We owe future generations a better world without fear, we owe the next generation a time to love, a time to heal.

Dr Flavius A B Akerele III

The ETeam