In general, this message speaks mostly of things I believe in. Things I would venture that Jesus Christ taught. However, they had me up until referring to:
1) Ending 200 years of slavery-- if by that you mean the American Companies that hire undocumented workers who have immigrated illegally and pay them a laughable wage because they wont argue--then yes. I too pledge to end slavery. However, somehow I fear your "white guilt" implies that African Americans are still slaves in this country. I disagree. I came from a poor, single-mother family in a fairly high crime part of town (not Detroit, but still) and I put myself through college, have a hard but successful career, and am a home owner in America. All because of the choices I made and the mother who taught me how to make righteous ones. Every American has the same opportunity to make the choices and sometimes sacrifices that give them access to "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." I take offense to your implication that anyone of any ethnicity who chooses not to pursue happiness through righteous choices is a slave.
2) I recycle my plastic bags at the grocery store, my cereal boxes, the few plastic bottles I purchase. I map out errands so as to conserve gas. I put a sweater on in the winter to keep the thermostat lower. I do a pretty good job of reducing my consumption and increasing what I cultivate (so far...about 10 zucchinis from our garden). How many new, belts, Prada handbags, hybrid cars, houses, pairs of ugs, electronic gadgets, sparkly bracelets have you, Cameron, Demi, Ashton, etc., bought this year? I drive a 10 year old car that gets 30-35 mph, hardly a gas-guzzler, or "obnoxious car". I wear the same shoes and jeans as last season because they're still in good shape. Trying to be more green, doesn't mean you are doing a good job consuming less and cultivating more.
3) I am not a servant to my President. I pledge to serve my God and my country. My President took an oath to serve me, as a citizen of the United States of America. Did you forget that oath, Mr. President? Or did you not believe in the words of that oath? Okay, in fairness, I don't think President Obama created this message, but if he sits back and allows this understanding of "Change" to be perpetuated by those that live in Hollywood (and by that I mean the fairytale world it represents) instead of the real world (where Mom and Dad work two full time jobs for less than $100,000 a year) then he's guilty by omission.
Shame on the school principle who thought it was appropriate to indoctrinate Utah children with this blatant, one-sided propaganda. If their parents believe this message, it is there right to give it. It is the school's responsibility to teach: reading, writing, arithmetic, science, history, government, and world events in an unbiased way so they may learn critical thinking skills and choose their own beliefs.
6 comments:
AMEN!!
You are brilliant. You are amazing. I am glad I am on your team! xoxo
AMEN GIRL!!!!
By 'slavery' I interpretted it to mean beyond the borders of America, where there are many slaves and environments of human brutality that we as Americans *should* care about. Like Yuganda, Sudan, and Columbia. Yes, there are problems in America too. But a pledge to start somewhere, however ill worded and offensive it is to the technicalities, has a better spirit in the message than you are giving it credit.
The message that they are trying to spread wasn't limited to just in America because it was produced by Americans.
Shame on the school teacher for not living by the letter of the law, and probably showed this to students in the attempt to improve the consideration of humanity. Good thing God judges us by the intentions of our hearts. Jesus Christ taught that too, let he who has no sin cast the first stone.
There are bigger problems in the public school system such as parents who don't get involved in their childrens education, or provide safe learning environments at home too. So I guess to say that schools are to only teach "reading, writing, arithmatic" etc is a little one sided too. Because schools are also places where children are sent for a day away from the difficult life they have waiting at home, where people in their life don't care for them, and all the teacher is trying to do is care. Sure, that's not in the curriculum. But that isn't the place to start with fault finding. Society, and the deterioration of the homes are.
Doesn't it make more sense to try to inspire, create, and produce results out of love and intention, and lead by example where there are many faults around to lead above- instead of trying to break down and critisize verbage?
I see where you're coming from, but you don't get there skipping all of the broken steps along the way. And both paradigms can, and should exist cooperatively. The public officials serve us, but we must also do our part to sustain them, and then both you and the message are correct.
This is my blog, so I get to have the last word. I don't need to have anyone agree with me, though I'm glad to see I was not alone in my sentiments. I would however like to rebuttal a few points:
1) The slavery reference did not refer to anything outside of the US. The reference to "a 200 year old promise to abolish slavery" quite clearly implies an opinion regarding the inside of our boarders. It's an opinion I do not share. I am proud that our country, while not perfect, still promotes freedom and the opportunity for prosperity for all of it's citizens. To imply otherwise is offense to me.
2) It is not our responsibility to sustain our public servants, whether we agree with their policies or not. It is our responsibility to sustain ideals of righteousness and to elect leaders who believe what we believe. If a public servant does that, then they get to maintain their employment. If they do not, they will be fired by our next vote. It's a very simple process really. Whether one supports the President or not is not the issue, it is the tone and words of the statement that promotes hero-worship as a precursor to personal responsibility. Inspire, create, and improve the human condition--absolutely. That should be the message. Pledge to do something, but do it because you value the thing itself.
3) I look forward to the day I have children to entrust to a caring teacher such as some of my dear friends strive to be. A teacher who can present both sides of an issue and encourage the students to discuss it with their parents, let the child decide what they believe, and teach them how to own their choices, that is a teacher I can support. It isn't a matter of casting stones. It is a matter of standing for truth and righteousness at all times and in all things and in all places. I believe quite often schools are teaching the popular points of view which at times are exactly the fiery darts we should arm ourselves against. Be cautious of using popular faces to teach our children. They are impressionable and they believe all to easily what movie, TV, and music stars say is right.
Finally, Thomas Jefferson said, "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." I will not be chastised for homage of reason. This video is no different than Al Gore saying the debate on Global Warming is over. 30,000 scientists, climatologists, etc. say otherwise. Saying it doesn't make it so. Saying loudly or belittling those who have sound reasons to disagree doesn't make it so, either.
Bravo!!! And Well Said.
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