Prouder to Be an American
Watching the presidential inauguration on television I finally got it.
I saw that what makes America unique among other countries of the world it is the possibility of what it can become as well as the economic opportunities and social possibilities it represents.
My college economics professor coined a phrase that I never forgot he said, "Americans are like a bug in a rug.
" He implied that we live in this beautiful amazing rug that has so much potential and the whole world looks at us with admonition.
Unfortunately, all that many Americans ever see of this rug is the limited version.
Therefore, we never realize where we live because we are not able to get out of the rug, go to other countries and see how they live.
I learned this truth from travelling and not being ethnocentric.
I am saying that America has the potential to change and become a greater nation as many countries expect.
However, in resent years we have not represented that image well instead, we had become the self appointed protector of the world.
The election of Barack Obama as president of the United States gave the world an opportunity to see again the America of change and equality that has been measured by the social and economic progress of its once slave.
On inauguration day there were many African American doctors, governors, mayors, congressman, actors, entertainers, medial moguls, educators, officials in government, ministers and business owners to compliment the newly elected president unlike the days of old when there was only one person of color receiving recognition like Fredrick Douglas, Booker T.
Washington, Mary McCloud Bethune or Martin Luther King.
This time, the world saw the success and social progress made by the African American, in spite of the many obstacles that exist to prevent and hinder them.
African Americans can be proud of what the Lord has allowed them to accomplish in this society since the days of slavery.
Compliments to the news media for the positive emphasis it placed on African American people and President Barack Obama during this time.
Because of its traditional focus on crime, unfortunately, the news media has become an instrument that feeds racist stereotypes into the psyche of many white people and foreigner's who intern teach their children to be racist.
As the media consistently portrays African Americans and other minorities as only criminals and people to be feared it reinforces stereotypical images and fosters discrimination.
That is why I was pleased to see the media portray the first African American president the same way it did the forty- three president before him.
Therefore, I encourage the media to show more positive images of African Americans and other minorities and to stop feeding so many negative images and information that stimulates the psyche and reinforce discrimination.
The stereotypes some white people believe causes them to teach their children to be racist and they resist the change we need in America to move into the 21st century as a world leader not only economically but socially and spiritually.
The Rev.
Martin Luther King, whom I call the prophet, spoke of an African American becoming president some forty years ago and for some of us to be able to have heard him and see it happen is a rare experience and blessing.
This time was God ordained and is significant in world history.
I pray for President Barack Obama and his family that God will bless them and guide his presidency with His hand for the benefit of us all.
I saw that what makes America unique among other countries of the world it is the possibility of what it can become as well as the economic opportunities and social possibilities it represents.
My college economics professor coined a phrase that I never forgot he said, "Americans are like a bug in a rug.
" He implied that we live in this beautiful amazing rug that has so much potential and the whole world looks at us with admonition.
Unfortunately, all that many Americans ever see of this rug is the limited version.
Therefore, we never realize where we live because we are not able to get out of the rug, go to other countries and see how they live.
I learned this truth from travelling and not being ethnocentric.
I am saying that America has the potential to change and become a greater nation as many countries expect.
However, in resent years we have not represented that image well instead, we had become the self appointed protector of the world.
The election of Barack Obama as president of the United States gave the world an opportunity to see again the America of change and equality that has been measured by the social and economic progress of its once slave.
On inauguration day there were many African American doctors, governors, mayors, congressman, actors, entertainers, medial moguls, educators, officials in government, ministers and business owners to compliment the newly elected president unlike the days of old when there was only one person of color receiving recognition like Fredrick Douglas, Booker T.
Washington, Mary McCloud Bethune or Martin Luther King.
This time, the world saw the success and social progress made by the African American, in spite of the many obstacles that exist to prevent and hinder them.
African Americans can be proud of what the Lord has allowed them to accomplish in this society since the days of slavery.
Compliments to the news media for the positive emphasis it placed on African American people and President Barack Obama during this time.
Because of its traditional focus on crime, unfortunately, the news media has become an instrument that feeds racist stereotypes into the psyche of many white people and foreigner's who intern teach their children to be racist.
As the media consistently portrays African Americans and other minorities as only criminals and people to be feared it reinforces stereotypical images and fosters discrimination.
That is why I was pleased to see the media portray the first African American president the same way it did the forty- three president before him.
Therefore, I encourage the media to show more positive images of African Americans and other minorities and to stop feeding so many negative images and information that stimulates the psyche and reinforce discrimination.
The stereotypes some white people believe causes them to teach their children to be racist and they resist the change we need in America to move into the 21st century as a world leader not only economically but socially and spiritually.
The Rev.
Martin Luther King, whom I call the prophet, spoke of an African American becoming president some forty years ago and for some of us to be able to have heard him and see it happen is a rare experience and blessing.
This time was God ordained and is significant in world history.
I pray for President Barack Obama and his family that God will bless them and guide his presidency with His hand for the benefit of us all.
