Post-Racial American Patriotism

"We hold these truths to be self-evident- that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." These words were written by plantation slaveowners, whose concept of "man" did not even extend to the people upon whose backs their society was built.

We are now slowly learning better, through the work of passionate, dedicated crusaders like Dr. King and Rosa Parks. Now we are learning to expand our definition of "man" from only white males to include all of mankind thanks to every suffragette.

But the world does not only exist in black and white. Our work as a nation, people, and individuals is not yet done. We have a long way to go yet.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." If it is self-evident that all men are created equal, why do we treat our Hispanic brothers and sisters as being less than fully human and condemn them for trying to find a better life for themselves and their children? And yet, if a person is American "born and bred" this person is condemned for NOT trying to find a better life for his or her children. And why is it impossible for an Arab citizen to be treated as a contributing member of society? Why do we treat our neighbors as being less than who they are because of things beyond their control, like their sexual orientation?

"They are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This inconsistency in the American character--allowing happiness to some, withholding it from others, must stop. If our country is to lead a peaceful world, we must be a nation at peace with ourselves--black, white, yellow, purple, Islamic, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, whatever--all our parts must exist in mutual respect. All perspectives are needed.

This change must happen at the individual level. Until each American citizen takes responsibility for his or her own attitudes our country is doomed to suffer from too many "isms" to count. Until each citizen holds him or her self responsible for upholding the ideals of our founding fathers our country will never be truly great.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights--that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." American blood was spilled for these ideals. However flawed the vision was when it was first written down, it is worth seeing through. As citizens, it is up to us to follow this ideal and make our country great and lead the world in peace. Respect each other.