The Pursuit of Happiness

We live in what many would say is the greatest country on earth. We have freedoms others would not dare to dream about. We have access to wealth people risk life and limb to grasp. We are the envy of the world and the same time we are the champion of the world.

I often wonder how our country obtained this position. Well, the people who founded the country as we know it were pioneers and entrepreneurs. They had drive, courage, curiosity and creativity. They had a desire to take nothing and make it into something. They invented products and machines that the whole world sought. They made scientific discoveries that the rest of the world felt they could not live without. They built structures that amazed and put in awe. Then in order to protect their right to the pursuit of happiness, they set up a government based on the principles of democracy. And this is how we thrive.

We have been in pursuit of democracy since our country was founded in 1776. Democracy is what makes us great. It simply means that all citizens have a say. Because this concept seems so simple, we often take it for granted. However, it is of utmost importance. We often forget that everyone did not always have a say.

Before the Revolutionary War we were controlled by the British government until Jefferson declared that all men are created equal and have certain inalienable rights. Still, we struggled for true democracy because blacks were not considered men. Later in 1863, Lincoln said our government would be of the people, by the people, and for the people. However, after the Civil War, the African Americans were again alienated from what should have been inalienable rights by laws that kept them from voting and enjoying full access to democracy. Then in 1964 President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act that said all citizens would have free access to that pursuit of happiness.

However, the struggle continues because in order to have a say, one must speak. In order to speak, one must know what to say. The courage to speak comes from knowing what to say. That knowledge comes from education. Quality education. All of our children still do not have a quality education. Education is the key to true democracy. A democratic society must have an equally educated citizenry for it to work.

Another hindrance to democracy is apathy and stagnation. Because many don’t seem to care about what is going in the world, they do not exercise their most basic democratic right. They don't believe they have the power to impact the world around them. Therefore, many adults do not vote or take part in the democratic process in any way. This is so dangerous. It is not just dangerous because we are letting only a small percentage have all the control. It is dangerous because we are the leaders of the free world. So that means the small percentage that does participate is running the world. This tiny percent is who has gotten us into a war that most of the world feels is illegal and morally wrong. So it is so important that we all make our voices heard.

But first we must educate ourselves. Don’t just listen to the people who are talking the loudest. Don’t let them tell you how you must vote. Research for yourself and vote for who you feel will be best for your family, community and world. As African Americans, we have been sold out to the Democratic Party since 1964. However, we must remember that we are not obligated to any particular party. Now the Republicans are trying to play the same political game with the Christian vote. In 2000, they claimed to be the proprietors of and ultimate authority on morality. They won control of the government based on a couple of issues that were important to Christians.

However, we must remember that politicians are just politicians. They play whatever tricks they need to play in order to get into office. It is our duty as citizens to study and hold them accountable. We are coming up to another big national political season. The Democratic and Republican parties just held their first presidential debates. And I see the same games and tricks. So it is up to us to make our voices heard. And don’t just vote. Educate others and get them registered to vote. Then take them to the polls if you have to. We are living in a crucial time in America and the world. We can’t take anything for granted.

If you need to get registered to vote, go to election.dos.state.fl.us/index.html to get a voter registration form or call the Voter Assistance Hotline at 866-308-6739. Also, if you have problems when you try to vote, call the 877-868-3737 to report it.

For Sojourner Truth

This is inspired by Sojourner Truth and her legendary speech “Aint I a Woman.”

Yes.
I am a woman.
I am the woman.
I have loved the husbands
Nurtured the babies
Taken the beatings
Worked the fields
All at the same time.
And yet I did it all with grace.
I have managed to keep my back straight
With the weight of the world bearing down on it.
I have managed to keep my head held high
When nobody seemed to cherish me.
Nobody has to tell me I’m strong
Because my very survival is evidence of my strength.
Nobody has to tell me I'm beautiful
Because this I know.
From high yellow to jet black
Every shade of me is beautiful.
You can not categorize me because I cannot be contained.
You can not define me because I am beyond your explanations.
You can not kill me because I am infinite.
I’ve got a certain something that you just can’t put your finger on.
Something inside so strong that I’ve survived
Centuries of hopelessness and hoped anyway.
Centuries of lovelessness and loved anyway.
I went from slavery to freedom in a heartbeat
And taught my children to forgive.
I raised up dignitaries with no dignity of my own.
Still, they call my confidence aggression and my pride arrogance.
They say I have an attitude.
Well, if I seem to have an attitude, I do.
I do not apologize.
My sons are killing each other and my daughters have forgotten how to love.
So I have work to do.
You call it attitude. I call it fire.
I’ve got to have the fire inside to keep up the struggle.

Ain't I a Woman

The following is the famous speech from Sojourner Truth given at the Women’s Convention in Akron, Ohio in 1851. What a powerful woman she was. Her words still resonate. She still inspires.

Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?
That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?
Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?
Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.
If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.
Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.