The new Batman movie has been out for a little over a week now, and there is no question: people are excited. The only possible hesitation upon stepping up to the ticket booth is whether or not to buy the small, medium or large popcorn. Batman Begins got moviegoers excited about comic books in a whole, new way with the slightly dark and philosophical take on Bruce Wayne’s transformation. However, The Dark Knight has taken “dark and philosophical” to new heights, and it is hard to know exactly what to think.
While I am no student of Marvel’s superheroes, I am interested in how movies reflect the society in which they are made and played. Contrary to popular opinion, there is no such thing as completely mindless entertainment. Of course, many movies succeed in coming close, but, regardless, every film has a message whether it is an overall or underlying theme. Gone are the days of blissful, black-and-white morality on the big screen. Filmmakers love to play in the gray area nowadays. The American public has viewed numerous ethical quandaries in recent years with the emersion of films such as Million Dollar Baby that prefer to toy with audience emotion.
Batman is no different. Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker is above and beyond expectations. He deftly managed the role’s intricacies, leading to a truly jolting picture of evil. The Joker is a villain on the lookout for power, and, for him, violence is a necessary means to that end. But he is not the only bad guy in the story. As the movie goes on, we watch in horror as Harvey Dent, Gotham City’s golden boy, becomes embittered by revenge. Even Batman must reconcile his ulterior motives with what is best for the city.
One does not leave the theater feeling warm and fuzzy by any means. Instead, the movie provides a surprising amount of food for thought. From “good guys” making bad decisions to “bad guys” making right ones, this Batman leaves room for the shattering of stereotypes and just a little redemption. Of course, since this film is in the midst of its Christian Bale run, it cannot be expected to look too fulfilling or conclusive quite yet.
However, I firmly believe that we will once again see the ultimate prevalence of good over evil. My hope is that people forget the fantastical element for a moment and realize the reality of moral conundrums. While producers and directors are out to mold society’s way of thinking, we must mold right back. There is no question that people face decisions regarding ethical issues everyday, but most of the time, we do not have two hours to come to a dramatic finish followed by credits and soulful music. We can debate the existence of superheroes later. The battle between good and evil begins with the individual, and the decisions made there make all the difference. See? You only thought going to the theater meant you wouldn’t have to think.
July 29, 2008
(article for The Review, Laurel, MS, newspaper)
Monday, 25 August 2008
subjects or citizens?
I read an article recently that pointed out that America has elections, not coronations. While this observation may seem unnecessary and a bit late in coming, the gravity of such a simple statement suddenly struck me: we do not have a long line of pompous Jones or Smiths ruling the country.
There are no decades upon decades of possibly dictatorial regimes to fear, and there is no endless circuit of kings and queens over which we have no influence. In 1776, we declared our independence from such a system. People fought and died to rid themselves of the chains of the old tyranny, uniting under no less worthy cause than that of freedom – a freedom that extends far and wide.
The right to vote for our representation – and even to be represented in the first place – is a privilege, rather than a duty. But today, many people see it as neither. While freedom does mean the ability to choose, there is a paradoxical element to the definition that is all too often ignored: with freedom comes responsibility.
The evolution of voting rights in America has a history all its own. From only white, property-owning men being allowed to vote, this nation has come a long way. In 1869, the fifteenth amendment gave black men the right to vote, and the nineteenth amendment in 1920 gave a victorious conclusion to the women’s suffrage movement. In later years, there have been many more triumphs for the voting rights of minorities and American citizens in general.
With yet another presidential election drawing closer, the number of people that show up to the polls needs to increase. Right now, warm bodies with United States citizenships are all I ask. Americans should be lining the streets outside of their places of registration, eagerly waiting for the opportunity to have a voice in their representation. Sadly, such a picture is rarely (if ever) a reality.
Secondly, there are several questions to ask ourselves before we step into line: Are we engaging in the process? Do we follow political races with the same alertness with which we follow our favorite team’s progress? Do we understand the gravity of that trip – or lack thereof – to the voting booth?
Thankfully, we are not getting in line to see the coronation of the next monarch, but the apathy with which we regard our voting privileges matches the attitude of subjects rather than citizens. If we have freedom, then we must act like free men and women. We must participate, instead of choosing a lunch engagement or a manicure. We must engage, instead of switching to any channel but the news. We must take the initiative now, and, in doing so, honor the initiative that brave colonists took so many years ago.
The ability to vote and to have a voice in government is a privilege, and with such a privilege comes responsibility. We’ve had it for centuries now, but the question still remains: are we ready to take it on?
August 5, 2008
(article for The Review, Laurel, MS, newspaper)
There are no decades upon decades of possibly dictatorial regimes to fear, and there is no endless circuit of kings and queens over which we have no influence. In 1776, we declared our independence from such a system. People fought and died to rid themselves of the chains of the old tyranny, uniting under no less worthy cause than that of freedom – a freedom that extends far and wide.
The right to vote for our representation – and even to be represented in the first place – is a privilege, rather than a duty. But today, many people see it as neither. While freedom does mean the ability to choose, there is a paradoxical element to the definition that is all too often ignored: with freedom comes responsibility.
The evolution of voting rights in America has a history all its own. From only white, property-owning men being allowed to vote, this nation has come a long way. In 1869, the fifteenth amendment gave black men the right to vote, and the nineteenth amendment in 1920 gave a victorious conclusion to the women’s suffrage movement. In later years, there have been many more triumphs for the voting rights of minorities and American citizens in general.
With yet another presidential election drawing closer, the number of people that show up to the polls needs to increase. Right now, warm bodies with United States citizenships are all I ask. Americans should be lining the streets outside of their places of registration, eagerly waiting for the opportunity to have a voice in their representation. Sadly, such a picture is rarely (if ever) a reality.
Secondly, there are several questions to ask ourselves before we step into line: Are we engaging in the process? Do we follow political races with the same alertness with which we follow our favorite team’s progress? Do we understand the gravity of that trip – or lack thereof – to the voting booth?
Thankfully, we are not getting in line to see the coronation of the next monarch, but the apathy with which we regard our voting privileges matches the attitude of subjects rather than citizens. If we have freedom, then we must act like free men and women. We must participate, instead of choosing a lunch engagement or a manicure. We must engage, instead of switching to any channel but the news. We must take the initiative now, and, in doing so, honor the initiative that brave colonists took so many years ago.
The ability to vote and to have a voice in government is a privilege, and with such a privilege comes responsibility. We’ve had it for centuries now, but the question still remains: are we ready to take it on?
August 5, 2008
(article for The Review, Laurel, MS, newspaper)
american roadtrip (1)
Lemonade on the porch is a lovely summertime tradition, but for those who want a little less leisure and a little more adventure this summer, roadtripping is the pastime for you.
The art of the road trip is in the continuous experience: staying on the road, spending little or no money on lodging and only stopping for the best of scenery and sites. Conveniently, we live in a nation that prides itself on naming national parks and monuments so that there is always plenty to mark down as various “hit-and-run” destinations.
This June, my family decided to forego the comforts of a conventional trip to the beach and instead settled upon seeing a hitherto unexplored part of the country. We have been up and down the east coast, over to the West, up to the North, and all over the South, but somehow, the Midwest has always eluded us. Many routes call themselves the “Great American road trip,” and each of them has their own unique claim to fame. However, in order to experience the endless intrigue of the American wilderness, newspaper writer John Soule’s 1851 advice still rings true: “Go West, young man!”
We began our journey with several hours of non-stop driving through Arkansas, Missouri and Iowa, stopping for a night somewhere inbetween. (The only downside to roadtripping is the occasional, total unawareness of one’s current location and time zone…Hence, my vagueness.) Our first official stop was Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This quaint little city is centered around the roaring falls for which it was named, and it is a testimony to the ingenuity of those who lived when the extension of the railroad was transforming the West.
Next stop: Badlands National Park. This place makes one feel that playing cowboys and Indians is a necessary order of the day. For miles and miles around, all that can be seen is a moon-like terrain of jutting rock, and cacti and signs warning of rattlesnakes complete the picture. We scrambled up and down the dusty surface, enjoying breathtaking views as far as the eye could see. As we kept driving, the hills suddenly turned into a flat grassland with prairie dogs popping their heads up to see what the commotion was. And then suddenly, finding ourselves once again in the mountains, we spiraled upwards into the Black Hills.
Every American conjures up an image of four mountainous heads upon hearing the name “Mount Rushmore.” Whether or not they know the owners of those famous faces – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln – is another question. Every night at this famous landmark, there is a presentation that includes the recognition of any military servicemen and women in the crowd. For all of the gorgeous scenery we had seen so far, the faces of such principled leaders serving as a backdrop to the group of current American servants being honored was the most inspiring sight we had seen yet.
On our way out of the Black Hills, we stopped for a tour of Jewel Cave. President Teddy Roosevelt declared Jewel Cave a national monument, and, to date, it claims the title of second longest cave in the world with 142.22 miles explored. Instead of taking the “moderately strenuous” scenic route through the cave, we chose the lantern tour which allows caving hopefuls to go hundreds of feet down through tight spaces. There was lots of ducking and even some crawling as we enjoyed the sparkling beauty of the cave along with its resident bats. Our appropriately dramatic guide even let us experience the eeriness of total darkness by sitting down on a sturdy rock and blowing out our flames. It was a relief to finally step out into the sunny cold, which brings me to the subject of weather.
Whilst we Southern women are glistening away in June, the hearty inhabitants of the upper Midwest are still shoveling snow – an almost unfathomable sight after Mississippi’s sweltering heat. Nevertheless, the numerous breathtaking views available makes the fact that one cannot feel one’s fingers and toes worth it. Hopefully this optimism will carry us into the dropping temperatures of Yellowstone National Park.
This truly is a journey back in time that every American should experience.
To be continued…
June 23, 2008
(article for The Review, Laurel, MS, newspaper)
The art of the road trip is in the continuous experience: staying on the road, spending little or no money on lodging and only stopping for the best of scenery and sites. Conveniently, we live in a nation that prides itself on naming national parks and monuments so that there is always plenty to mark down as various “hit-and-run” destinations.
This June, my family decided to forego the comforts of a conventional trip to the beach and instead settled upon seeing a hitherto unexplored part of the country. We have been up and down the east coast, over to the West, up to the North, and all over the South, but somehow, the Midwest has always eluded us. Many routes call themselves the “Great American road trip,” and each of them has their own unique claim to fame. However, in order to experience the endless intrigue of the American wilderness, newspaper writer John Soule’s 1851 advice still rings true: “Go West, young man!”
We began our journey with several hours of non-stop driving through Arkansas, Missouri and Iowa, stopping for a night somewhere inbetween. (The only downside to roadtripping is the occasional, total unawareness of one’s current location and time zone…Hence, my vagueness.) Our first official stop was Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This quaint little city is centered around the roaring falls for which it was named, and it is a testimony to the ingenuity of those who lived when the extension of the railroad was transforming the West.
Next stop: Badlands National Park. This place makes one feel that playing cowboys and Indians is a necessary order of the day. For miles and miles around, all that can be seen is a moon-like terrain of jutting rock, and cacti and signs warning of rattlesnakes complete the picture. We scrambled up and down the dusty surface, enjoying breathtaking views as far as the eye could see. As we kept driving, the hills suddenly turned into a flat grassland with prairie dogs popping their heads up to see what the commotion was. And then suddenly, finding ourselves once again in the mountains, we spiraled upwards into the Black Hills.
Every American conjures up an image of four mountainous heads upon hearing the name “Mount Rushmore.” Whether or not they know the owners of those famous faces – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln – is another question. Every night at this famous landmark, there is a presentation that includes the recognition of any military servicemen and women in the crowd. For all of the gorgeous scenery we had seen so far, the faces of such principled leaders serving as a backdrop to the group of current American servants being honored was the most inspiring sight we had seen yet.
On our way out of the Black Hills, we stopped for a tour of Jewel Cave. President Teddy Roosevelt declared Jewel Cave a national monument, and, to date, it claims the title of second longest cave in the world with 142.22 miles explored. Instead of taking the “moderately strenuous” scenic route through the cave, we chose the lantern tour which allows caving hopefuls to go hundreds of feet down through tight spaces. There was lots of ducking and even some crawling as we enjoyed the sparkling beauty of the cave along with its resident bats. Our appropriately dramatic guide even let us experience the eeriness of total darkness by sitting down on a sturdy rock and blowing out our flames. It was a relief to finally step out into the sunny cold, which brings me to the subject of weather.
Whilst we Southern women are glistening away in June, the hearty inhabitants of the upper Midwest are still shoveling snow – an almost unfathomable sight after Mississippi’s sweltering heat. Nevertheless, the numerous breathtaking views available makes the fact that one cannot feel one’s fingers and toes worth it. Hopefully this optimism will carry us into the dropping temperatures of Yellowstone National Park.
This truly is a journey back in time that every American should experience.
To be continued…
June 23, 2008
(article for The Review, Laurel, MS, newspaper)
coming home
When the families of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division received the news that the unit had arrived safely on American soil, we breathed a prayer and a sigh of relief in the same instance. Since September 2007, we had waited and prayed to hear those words, and, while seven months of knowing that loved ones were physically at war was certainly otherworldly, it was equally surreal to hear that they weren’t anymore.
This past Saturday, April 26, Laurel welcomed home one of her own with open arms. My brother, Lance Corporal Joshua Marcellino turned onto a 6th Avenue lined with cheering people and waving flags. The entire morning had been spent prepared for this moment,and it truly was a glorious one as he, looking just a little dazed and surprised, got out of the vehicle to greet a proud family, church, neighbors, town and WDAM news crew.
Upon coming back to the United States, Joshua says that now he can feel that “freedom in the air” that all Americans are able to enjoy. And, upon coming back home to Laurel, he acknowledged the wonderful feeling that came over him as he was hugged and pulled from person to person in a crowd of people that respected his bravery and service. He said, “The American people are definitely patriotic, and I feel loved.”
It is so important for these soldiers to know that their time and loyalty has been appreciated. For some, the unpopularity of the war in Iraq makes coming home an unsure thing. But, the truth is, these men and women should be greeted as heroes, if for no more than answering the call of duty. It is our privilege to make their homecoming one in which they themselves feel proud of what they have done. They should know that we haven’t been going about our lives without realizing that someone has to make sacrifices for us to do just that.
Joshua’s entire unit came back without a casualty – something almost unheard of. They did their job, and they did it well. Joshua pointed out that things are being accomplished in Iraq, and that the country is slowly developing into a place where freedom actually has a role. His unit was part of the final handover of Haditha to Iraqi control – a real landmark for the changes going on in Iraq.
Joshua and his fellow comrades are now going through the transition from a place where they patrol the streets, to a place where the streets are used for driving to soccer practice. They must go from a country where finding IEDs is a mission and fear constantly hanging over them. What more can we do to help than a few smiles, hors d’oeuvres, and tearful “welcome back’s”…
Indeed, it was the sort of homecoming all of our soldier-heroes should enjoy.
April 29, 2008
(article for The Review, Laurel, MS, newspaper)
This past Saturday, April 26, Laurel welcomed home one of her own with open arms. My brother, Lance Corporal Joshua Marcellino turned onto a 6th Avenue lined with cheering people and waving flags. The entire morning had been spent prepared for this moment,and it truly was a glorious one as he, looking just a little dazed and surprised, got out of the vehicle to greet a proud family, church, neighbors, town and WDAM news crew.
Upon coming back to the United States, Joshua says that now he can feel that “freedom in the air” that all Americans are able to enjoy. And, upon coming back home to Laurel, he acknowledged the wonderful feeling that came over him as he was hugged and pulled from person to person in a crowd of people that respected his bravery and service. He said, “The American people are definitely patriotic, and I feel loved.”
It is so important for these soldiers to know that their time and loyalty has been appreciated. For some, the unpopularity of the war in Iraq makes coming home an unsure thing. But, the truth is, these men and women should be greeted as heroes, if for no more than answering the call of duty. It is our privilege to make their homecoming one in which they themselves feel proud of what they have done. They should know that we haven’t been going about our lives without realizing that someone has to make sacrifices for us to do just that.
Joshua’s entire unit came back without a casualty – something almost unheard of. They did their job, and they did it well. Joshua pointed out that things are being accomplished in Iraq, and that the country is slowly developing into a place where freedom actually has a role. His unit was part of the final handover of Haditha to Iraqi control – a real landmark for the changes going on in Iraq.
Joshua and his fellow comrades are now going through the transition from a place where they patrol the streets, to a place where the streets are used for driving to soccer practice. They must go from a country where finding IEDs is a mission and fear constantly hanging over them. What more can we do to help than a few smiles, hors d’oeuvres, and tearful “welcome back’s”…
Indeed, it was the sort of homecoming all of our soldier-heroes should enjoy.
April 29, 2008
(article for The Review, Laurel, MS, newspaper)
take a look around
We Americans are accused of many things by our fellow sojourners in the world. We are ignorant, loud, obnoxious, over-ambitious, fat, and numerous other negative adjectives.
And, in a world that is growing into a more closely-knit global community, we are simply behind. Of course, all of these stereotypical descriptions should be applied selectively, but it is true that Americans are generally content to keep to their own country and culture.
While the rest of the globe is busy learning multiple languages and gallivanting across continents, we sit very comfortably on a large portion of North America, enjoying our isolated supremacy. Granted, other countries find themselves in different circumstances regarding location and economic status that force them to study other languages and cultures. But just because we can be more leisurely about our approach does not mean that we should never arrive.
This is not the Wild West anymore. It does not take the covered wagon days to span a few miles. We are privileged to live in a day and age in which travel is available in all sorts of speedy forms and language barriers are becoming non-factors. Of course, what is the only excuse left? Money. Unfortunately, this last plea falls on unsympathetic ears, as I have seen too many situations that proved the old adage, “Where there is a will, there is a way.”
St. Augustine wrote, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” The world sees America as the kid who reads the first page and then, impatient with the story’s slow progress and difficult words, runs off to play. We have grown so consumed with the daily activities in our individual spheres of existence that we have forgotten to acknowledge the billions of people and places that do not fit into our bubbles. Travel is about more than the physical journey. It is an altered mindset – a fresh perspective. It is about developing a healthy curiosity and love of learning that drives us to know more, to experience more, to appreciate more.
My advice: take a step out of your comfort zone. Depending on your particular situation, that may look like a week exploring the Mississippi Delta or a year of teaching English in Tibet. Wherever and whatever it is, the point is to broaden our horizons from our respective vantage points.
I am not advocating an ideology that would strip us of our national identity by any means. America is a place of endless opportunities, and I am simply suggesting that we take advantage of them. Getting to know the world in which you live is a rewarding, eye-opening, (and hopefully) lifelong process.
Know that the buffet at China Bell is a poor representation of the real thing, that British people really are as prim and proper as their collective stereotype, and that the Colosseum is as breathtaking as you imagined. Determine to read a few more pages of this world-book. Let’s shock our critics together.
April 7, 2008
(article for The Review, Laurel, MS, newspaper)
And, in a world that is growing into a more closely-knit global community, we are simply behind. Of course, all of these stereotypical descriptions should be applied selectively, but it is true that Americans are generally content to keep to their own country and culture.
While the rest of the globe is busy learning multiple languages and gallivanting across continents, we sit very comfortably on a large portion of North America, enjoying our isolated supremacy. Granted, other countries find themselves in different circumstances regarding location and economic status that force them to study other languages and cultures. But just because we can be more leisurely about our approach does not mean that we should never arrive.
This is not the Wild West anymore. It does not take the covered wagon days to span a few miles. We are privileged to live in a day and age in which travel is available in all sorts of speedy forms and language barriers are becoming non-factors. Of course, what is the only excuse left? Money. Unfortunately, this last plea falls on unsympathetic ears, as I have seen too many situations that proved the old adage, “Where there is a will, there is a way.”
St. Augustine wrote, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” The world sees America as the kid who reads the first page and then, impatient with the story’s slow progress and difficult words, runs off to play. We have grown so consumed with the daily activities in our individual spheres of existence that we have forgotten to acknowledge the billions of people and places that do not fit into our bubbles. Travel is about more than the physical journey. It is an altered mindset – a fresh perspective. It is about developing a healthy curiosity and love of learning that drives us to know more, to experience more, to appreciate more.
My advice: take a step out of your comfort zone. Depending on your particular situation, that may look like a week exploring the Mississippi Delta or a year of teaching English in Tibet. Wherever and whatever it is, the point is to broaden our horizons from our respective vantage points.
I am not advocating an ideology that would strip us of our national identity by any means. America is a place of endless opportunities, and I am simply suggesting that we take advantage of them. Getting to know the world in which you live is a rewarding, eye-opening, (and hopefully) lifelong process.
Know that the buffet at China Bell is a poor representation of the real thing, that British people really are as prim and proper as their collective stereotype, and that the Colosseum is as breathtaking as you imagined. Determine to read a few more pages of this world-book. Let’s shock our critics together.
April 7, 2008
(article for The Review, Laurel, MS, newspaper)
a race that just won't end
In Mississippi, we are well aware of our history concerning race. State history tests require an extensive knowledge of the civil rights movement because much of it took place here. Junior high students memorize names like Emmett Till, James Meredith, and Medgar Evers right along with the names of the eighty-two counties. The racial issues of Mississippi’s past will always be recognized. Yet, since the 1950’s, America has fought an uphill battle to right its wrongs, and now it is a place where a state with Mississippi’s record has the most black elected officials in the country.
However, not everyone is impressed with the nation’s progress.
Reverend Jeremiah Wright, presidential candidate Barak Obama’s pastor and mentor, goes so far as to openly denounce America for the white supremacy that she currently allows and the lies that she consistently tells (one of which is that the government actually created the HIV virus to kill black people). He passionately condemns the control of “rich whites,” and proclaims that “God damn America” is a much more appropriate expression than “God bless America.” Obama has had a surprisingly carefree campaign until now, but easy times for the black candidate who claims to transcend racial issues are over. The recent discovery of Reverend Wright’s divisive commentary on America during sermons has made Obama’s campaign known for more than just fervent college students and big signs announcing, “CHANGE.”
For America, Reverend Wright’s comments have been the freezing water that your parents always threatened to use to wake you up in the morning. It is shocking, rather bewildering, and it forces you to open your eyes to reality. His comments show a willingness to foster hatred and bitterness, and the setting is no less than a universal symbol for the opposite of all of that: the church.
So far, Obama has only definitively separated himself from the damaging remarks themselves, otherwise making excuses for his continued closeness with the reverend. This almost dismissive attitude shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the ideologies at play here. Obama is trying to pat America on the head and change the subject, but this subject cannot and should not be changed if the unity and prosperity of the nation carry any weight with its citizens.
Whether he wanted to or not, Obama has become a potential catalyst for change, although I don’t think this scenario was what he had in mind when the signs were made. But enough about Obama…this is about you.
The problem that suddenly looms before us is not one that can be solved with a few soothing, vaguely apologetic words. This challenge is one that must be faced by each one of us – white and black. If we come to the table together, the first step towards reconciliation is complete. We have a duty to each other to remove any obstacles that hinder us from presenting a strong, united front as a nation, and showing a respectful and open attitude to our fellow Americans can only help us achieve that. Also, it is only right for people to acknowledge the progress of the past decades to the amazing transformation of today. Affirmative action has helped the black community to integrate fully into educational institutions and the workplace. Neighborhoods and churches welcome all races, and the American dream is available to all of its inhabitants that choose to pursue it. This is a positive change – one that should be applauded rather than condemned. Why should wounds that were and are being dressed be forced to fester instead? That would be irrational, and Reverend Wright’s blameshifting and opinionated bitterness are just that.
Pandora’s box is now open, and it remains to be seen whether or not Americans have learned their lesson. Will we face the challenge that presents itself…or will we simply put the lid back on and nail it shut?
March 26, 2008
(article for The Review, Laurel, MS, newspaper)
However, not everyone is impressed with the nation’s progress.
Reverend Jeremiah Wright, presidential candidate Barak Obama’s pastor and mentor, goes so far as to openly denounce America for the white supremacy that she currently allows and the lies that she consistently tells (one of which is that the government actually created the HIV virus to kill black people). He passionately condemns the control of “rich whites,” and proclaims that “God damn America” is a much more appropriate expression than “God bless America.” Obama has had a surprisingly carefree campaign until now, but easy times for the black candidate who claims to transcend racial issues are over. The recent discovery of Reverend Wright’s divisive commentary on America during sermons has made Obama’s campaign known for more than just fervent college students and big signs announcing, “CHANGE.”
For America, Reverend Wright’s comments have been the freezing water that your parents always threatened to use to wake you up in the morning. It is shocking, rather bewildering, and it forces you to open your eyes to reality. His comments show a willingness to foster hatred and bitterness, and the setting is no less than a universal symbol for the opposite of all of that: the church.
So far, Obama has only definitively separated himself from the damaging remarks themselves, otherwise making excuses for his continued closeness with the reverend. This almost dismissive attitude shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the ideologies at play here. Obama is trying to pat America on the head and change the subject, but this subject cannot and should not be changed if the unity and prosperity of the nation carry any weight with its citizens.
Whether he wanted to or not, Obama has become a potential catalyst for change, although I don’t think this scenario was what he had in mind when the signs were made. But enough about Obama…this is about you.
The problem that suddenly looms before us is not one that can be solved with a few soothing, vaguely apologetic words. This challenge is one that must be faced by each one of us – white and black. If we come to the table together, the first step towards reconciliation is complete. We have a duty to each other to remove any obstacles that hinder us from presenting a strong, united front as a nation, and showing a respectful and open attitude to our fellow Americans can only help us achieve that. Also, it is only right for people to acknowledge the progress of the past decades to the amazing transformation of today. Affirmative action has helped the black community to integrate fully into educational institutions and the workplace. Neighborhoods and churches welcome all races, and the American dream is available to all of its inhabitants that choose to pursue it. This is a positive change – one that should be applauded rather than condemned. Why should wounds that were and are being dressed be forced to fester instead? That would be irrational, and Reverend Wright’s blameshifting and opinionated bitterness are just that.
Pandora’s box is now open, and it remains to be seen whether or not Americans have learned their lesson. Will we face the challenge that presents itself…or will we simply put the lid back on and nail it shut?
March 26, 2008
(article for The Review, Laurel, MS, newspaper)
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