Although as a registered Republican, I voted along party lines in November 2008, I always recognized the brilliance of Barack Obama’s rhetoric. He is an articulate and erudite man. My concern during the campaign was that his lack of experience would be a hindrance to his effectiveness as President. However, thus far, he is demonstrating the wisdom to surround himself with knowledgeable advisors, who are willing to tell him the untainted truth necessary for him to make effective decisions as the 44th President of the United States. And now that his perspective is painted with a broader brush from his new vantage point, it is my deepest hope that he will be effective in the implementation of his vision to lead our nation into a new, more enlightened age.
To reach that objective, there are some embedded paradigms in our culture that also must change:
It is important as we stride forward to remodel our nation as the example for the world to once again emulate in this new millennium, that we recognize that America is a nation of individuals unified by common values of freedom, mutual respect and integrity. We must be conscious of the fact the so-called “typical” American is anything but typical, particularly when it comes to language, culture, creed and ethnicity.
This having been said, English must be re-emphasized as our nation’s lingua franca, to ensure that the dialogue between citizens and government flows freely and is effective. While recognizing that our culture continues to be enriched by immigration from around the world, official communication suffers from inefficiencies when we have not standardized on one language in official interactions of all types. We should, by all means, continue to speak the native languages that our families grew up speaking, when at home or other private and semi-public social settings, as appropriate, to keep those elements of our identity alive. But bi-lingual broadcasts, signs and official documents unfairly favor one group over another: if Spanish, why not also Chinese, German, French and Italian, as well?
The President has already expressed that more government resources will be devoted to teaching resident aliens and immigrants greater proficiency in American English to reach this goal.
Public professions of faith or lack thereof, are simply an element of the individual’s right of personal expression. What we believe is integral to who we are, and that cannot be devalued, even in public service. Just as John F. Kennedy did not have the Papacy direct his decisions as Chief Executive during his tenure, we need to acknowledge that our Pledge of Allegiance and prayer in school do not violate the constitutional edict requiring separation of church and state, and will not, unless we were to mandate membership in a state-endorsed or sponsored church as prerequisite for participation in public institutions.
We cannot be so sensitive as to take offense at others expressing their beliefs, and thus feel compelled to ask our courts to take away their right of free expression in religion (or lack thereof) in our presence, simply because we don’t share those views or beliefs.
Yes, although we are a nation of many faiths, we need to focus not on the differences in our doctrine, dogma or interpretation which separate us, but rather find and emphasize the commonalities which draw us together. We must all learn to practice the humility that enables recognition that what each of us believes and holds true in our hearts, grants none of us carte blanche to attack the platforms of those whose views and beliefs may not entirely and fully agree with—and which may even contradict—our own. To fail to recognize this obligation—to respect and honor those we disagree with—is antithetical to the true essence of what it means to be living free in America—or even to be—an American citizen.
As the son of a WWII Jewish Holocaust survivor (my father) and a Protestant mother (and yes, Messrs. Ahmadinejad and Duke, the Holocaust did in fact occur, taking the lives of my paternal grandparents in a concentration camp), it is my view that God cares not how we come to him, only that we come to him (I know that my Christian friends certainly do not share this view). For those who believe there is no God, (or that there are many gods) again, that is also their right as Americans.
For those who disagree with my view, their belief system does not trump mine. Each of us will hold true to our beliefs as our hearts may dictate. But none of us has any right—whether we think it God-given or otherwise—to publicly judge, denigrate, or persecute another’s religious or spiritual belief (or non-belief) as “wrong”. As we are Americans first—and we are Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Wiccans, Scientologists, Agnostics and Atheists—second.
We must continue to respect and embrace our differences. Each of us has talents and gifts that enrich our culture and society—and all of us must recognize, and must be recognized for, the value of these contributions—to cultivate our continued growth as a people and a nation. But when I speak of growth here, I refer not to physical growth—as in a larger populous—but rather, overall emotional and intellectual maturation of individuals living within our society, as well as the society itself which we inhabit.
All citizens of this nation have the right to be respected for who and what they are, as long as we all recognize the need to contribute to and protect the common good, so that those same opportunities, i.e., “the blessings of liberty” can remain and blossom for the generations which are yet to come.
