We were wrong not to outlaw slavery in the original Constitution. We
were wrong to keep women as second class citizens for 150 years. We were
wrong on so many issues of individual rights and freedoms.
We still try and progress today. It's a slow process, not of law, but of people's beliefs. The law can say it's wrong to discriminate, but that doesn't protect people from being discriminated against, it just allows for justice to be sought.
Those who say the Constitution must be read and applied as the founding fathers originally intended, must be pro slavery, anti-women, and believe we should not, or cannot progress and mature as a country, over the centuries.
The harm done to those minorities while we wait for "the majority" of Americans to embrace inclusion, is outrageous.
It is a lesson we must learn again and again. Japanese were interned during WW II. Nearly every ethnic group to come to America was at one time discriminated against. Like a rite of passage, or a frat house initiation, it always gets ugly.
The enemy, as usual, is within us.
It is not the Muslim who seeks to be a good American while keeping their faith and culture (as all immigrants have done for centuries) but the fear. An irrational fear enhanced be the forces who seek political power. That is evil.
Most disturbing, are my fellow countrymen who would discard the Constitution in favor of their own hate and prejudices.
We still try and progress today. It's a slow process, not of law, but of people's beliefs. The law can say it's wrong to discriminate, but that doesn't protect people from being discriminated against, it just allows for justice to be sought.
Those who say the Constitution must be read and applied as the founding fathers originally intended, must be pro slavery, anti-women, and believe we should not, or cannot progress and mature as a country, over the centuries.
The harm done to those minorities while we wait for "the majority" of Americans to embrace inclusion, is outrageous.
It is a lesson we must learn again and again. Japanese were interned during WW II. Nearly every ethnic group to come to America was at one time discriminated against. Like a rite of passage, or a frat house initiation, it always gets ugly.
The enemy, as usual, is within us.
It is not the Muslim who seeks to be a good American while keeping their faith and culture (as all immigrants have done for centuries) but the fear. An irrational fear enhanced be the forces who seek political power. That is evil.
Most disturbing, are my fellow countrymen who would discard the Constitution in favor of their own hate and prejudices.
The irony is the most bigoted and hateful people of the radical Right believe they are the true authorities on the Constitution. Only white conservatives are experts on "what the founders wanted".
ReplyDeleteJust ask one.
In truth politics is an evil game being played by irrational humans being driven by personal self interest and greed and a great fear if change over things they don't understand.
ReplyDeleteOh wait! That's the republican party and present day conservatism.
I have learned over 6 plus decades, that my old party - the GOPQ is the party of taking away rights from everyone who isn't a white Christian conservative. I'm glad I woke up and left that party years ago, but it seems they are increasing their hatred and contempt for our people more and more as the years go on.
ReplyDeleteI would only say that it's not just the Republican party who have practiced bigoted politics, they just happen to be the holder of the current crop of bigots.
ReplyDelete