I've been reading "The Greatest Generation" by Tom Brokaw and I can't help but notice how very different life is now from what it was in the '30's and 40's. I'm currently in the section entitled "Shame" which talks about the discrimination that was commonly practiced (and endorsed) against people of non-European descent - specifically Blacks, but also Native Americans and Asians. I can honestly say that such discrimination is bewildering (and disgusting) to me. I can't imagine judging a person solely by their ancestry or nationality. Put another way - I know a lot of Americans who are creeps, but I know a lot more who are descent, honest, hard-working people. I have also had the misfortune to meet some really scummy Canadians and Mexicans, but I am smart enough to recognize that they no more represent the majority of their countrymen any more than creepy Americans do. So to say that someone is inferior (or superior) simply because of their birth is rediculous! That is one of the greatest things about this country - even the lowest of the low has the oppotunity to make something of himself if he chooses to do so. And that is certainly more true now than it was in the 1940's. With the election of Barak Obama as the next President, how can anyone say that the American people as a whole are racist?? I have wondered if that is at least part of the reason he was elected - to make a statement about how far we have come. So, we have made remarkable progess in the Civil Rights arena, where we recognize that ALL men truly are CREATED equal. We all start out on the same footing - what we do after that is what sets us apart.
Unfortunately, not all the changes that have come about are so positive. What has happened to our sense of duty, honor and integrity??? What has happened to the days when an oath or contract actually meant something? When a person's honor was sacred? I get the impression that too many Americans are looking for someone to bail them out. They've gotten themselves in trouble (financially or emotionally) and rather than make the changes in their lives necessary to fix the problem, they want someone else to come along and fix it for them. Do they realize that such a path comes with a price? There are those who are certainly willing to step in and "fix" the problems this country is facing, but at what cost? Are there basic liberties that my children will have to live without because the generations before them didn't want to take responsibility for their own actions? I fear such will be the case. I fear very much for my children and what they have to look forward to in the future.
On a positive note, I am so grateful for the assurance we have from the Lord that if we will be obedient to His commandments we will prosper in the land. Many, many people and live - and even thrive - during great persecution and oppression. We have the Lord's promise that He will comfort and protect His people. And the Lord always keeps His promises.
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2 comments:
I liked your post Rachel, I too fear for our future. I may not have voted for Obama, but I will support him as my President. I don't have to support his ideas or even the things he may do in office. However I don't envy him the job.
The superintendent walked into Stuart's room this morning (he happens to be a member) and said "I've lived through Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton...we'll live through this one as well." And he's right.
Well put Rachel! How grateful I am for the guidance and comfort the gospel gives. I might have to re-read The Greatest Generation, or at least skim over it. I'm afraid I read it not long after Noah was born and I really don't remember much from that period of time.
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