Holding On By A Thread

 Most Americans are feeling overwhelmed.

It’s like a dark shadow is being pulled over the entire nation. 

 

What happened to us? All the hate and vitriol. 

 

Not towards America’s enemies but against each other. 

 

A bond that was undeniably strong almost a quarter of a century ago,

 

Is now holding on by threads. 

 

What made America exceptional. 

 

The envy of the world,

 

Has been evaporated by individual thirst for power and corporate greed. 

 

We’d ask with a friendly wave or a handshake, “Where you from?”

 

Now, it’s “Are you Red or Blue? Christian, Muslim, or Jew?” 

 

Asked with a predetermined notion and scowl. 

 

Dehumanizing sects of people to fulfill a narrative filled with hate. 

 

 

 

 I’m a father who loves his country.

 

Who wants a better America for my children.

 

An America where our children have: 

 

The freedom to choose their own career.

 

The freedom to attend the university of their dreams.

 

The freedom to marry who they love.

 

The freedom to vote for the candidate of their choice. 

 

The freedom to choose their own religion.

 

The freedom of to express their first amendment rights.

 

And the freedom to attend a concert or go to school without fear.

 

The fear of coming home in a body bag. 

 

 

 

The world didn’t think America was exceptional at its birth.

 

A nation pieced together of thirteen individual states.

 

But our forefathers did. 

 

Eloquently writing “All Men Are Created Equal”.

 

Even though African slaves had no freedom and women had no rights. 

 

Washington, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison knew. 

 

They envisioned an America of the future. 

 

An America two or three hundred years from their present day. 

 

That’s what makes our Nation great. 

 

Each generation striving. 

 

To make “A More Perfect Union” for the next.

 

 

Across the globe, from various backgrounds and religions, they come. 

 

By plane, train, boat, car, and foot, they come. 

 

They come to be a part of a melting pot.

 

Of what America could be. What it will be. 

 

However, a part of us must have forgotten. 

 

That diversity is our biggest strength. 

 

It is what makes America….

 

Exceptional!

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

48 Months

  It’s been 48 months since you’ve been gone.   And your love for us goes on and on.      My heart still aches but it hurts less and less,   You always said, “This too shall pass.”     I try and bring your kindness and compassion,   To my children and their children with a humorous abandon.      I can still hear you playing the piano and making us all laugh.    During a Mel Brooks movie, Space Balls, I guess.      I still remember you holding me when I was ill as a child.    until I felt better and was able to go play with a smile.      So, tonight when I look up at the stars,   I’ll be sure to say, “Love you Dad. See you in my dreams.” 
Read more

Being Jewish in Trump's America

  I am an American. I am Jewish.   In this 2 nd  Trump Presidency, I don’t understand how some people of my faith support Donald  Trump.  They’ll say that he is great for Israel, but is he? Or is he an opportunist, who supports a fellow indicted leader in Benjamin Netanyahu?   October 7, 2023, was a dark day in Jewish and Israeli History. The brutal murder and kidnapping of innocent Israeli citizens were premeditated, evil, and disgusting. Hamas, backed by Iran (who are allies with Russia) is responsible for the events of that day. The remaining hostages need to be released and returned to their loved ones.    However, we cannot overlook certain facts. It is known that Netanyahu was paying off Hamas, through Qatar, as he focused on increasing Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The Netanyahu Government was warned by both Egypt and the United States that Hamas was planning something big. When the attack happened on a border that is heav...
Read more

America’s Skeletons Keep Rearing Their Centuries Old Head

  When I was in elementary school, I fell in love with the United States and everything that we were taught that it stands for: Life, Freedom, and Happiness. I loved American History so much that I would read ahead in our Social Studies textbook. While my teacher was talking about Boston Massacre, I would be reading about the Battle of Yorktown. There was a book in the school library about all the Presidents in our history up to Jimmy Carter. The year was 1979 and I had dreams of becoming President one day. In fact, I wanted to be the first Jewish President. I had no idea of lobbyists, party politics, or political action committees. I was nine years old, and I believed so much in the freedoms that our country gave us. The alternative was communism and living under the Iron Curtin of the USSR.     As I grew up, my views changed. The more books on American history I read, the more I realized that our nation has many skeletons and bad habits that we can’t seem to shake. I ha...
Read more