Our US Declaration of Independence establishes that governments exist only to protect these rights and derive their power from the people they govern. Today we come together as a country to vote on if we continue to hold this vision for the United States of America. When people of great wealth, people with attachment to personal power, those filled with greed and hate, those mired in fear – use their energy for personal good rather than for the highest good of all, then we lose our guiding principles.
Not written into the declaration, but certainly implicit in it, is the idea of kindness and of doing no harm to people with differing views. A. democracy can only exist if it’s grounded in a. certain basic kindness and intention to non-harm, and a willingness, even an eagerness, to hear all views, remain open, and learn from each other.
When I was younger, I joined with a mixed nationality group of family and friends who celebrated Thanksgiving together with the traditional turkey, Chinese roast ducks, Gefilte fish, and wonderful Italian lasagna. None tried to claim itself as best. It was a true celebration of America as melting pot.
I have great sadness for our children and grandchildren who may not be growing up learning lovingkindness to people different than themselves, not learning to be curious and excited about differences but to fear them. The hatred that plays on our televisions daily is alarming. I cringe when certain public figures speak and it’s hard not to move into hatred. All I can do is to hold myself to the standards I was taught as a child, of true openness, curiosity and love. I feel blessed by the parents and grandparents who taught me never to hate. For many years my mother was president of the large Philadelphia chapter of The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), originally founded as the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, “a prominent international non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to countering antisemitism, bigotry, and discrimination.” I learned such ideals at an early age. Friends of all nationalities, religions and races were always welcomed at our table. But others learn something very different. I know not everyone was thusly blessed.
From the Broadway musical, South Pacific: (Rodgers/Hammerstein II) © 1949,
“You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught”
You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear, You’ve got to be taught from year to year,
It’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear— You’ve got to be carefully taught!
You’ve got to be taught to be afraid Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a different shade— You’ve got to be carefully taught.
You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late, Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate— You’ve got to be carefully taught!
You’ve got to be carefully taught!
Now our country has the opportunity to vote, truly to decide which path we’ll follow, at least for the coming years but likely, for a long distance into the future. Can we commit to the vision of the founding fathers, “One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice to all…” and with respect for the differences that make us strong.
Please vote and with love in your heart. If needed, I’ll be accompanying people who may feel threatened to the polls. Every vote matters, as does the right to vote.
