Ever since I was little kid, if I was confused, heartbroken, torn or disappointed I would find solace and peace through writing. Whether it was creating songs about combusting friendships tottering on the brink of romanticism or simply writing an article on how to dress for your 8th grade dance, putting words onto paper has helped me cope with the disillusioned natured of my surroundings during difficult times. When I woke up on Wednesday morning and saw who our newest president elect would be, I was surprised to say the least. I was surprised not in a manner of disappointment or elation, but surprised in the revelation of incongruity alongside a culture that I have seen be created over the last 28 years of my life. Growing up in an upper middle class, two-parent household, I was sheltered from a lot of social injustice and fiscal poverty. I didn’t learn algebra next to hungry students nor did I have to hide my my new bike while passing by drug dealers as I tried to enjoy my youth. I wasn’t forced to work during high school in order to support a sick family member and I wasn’t oppressed due to my religious values. One thing that I did experience, however, was a culmination of values, a dissertation on equality and a formulation of a value system that guides me through daily life. I don’t have President Bush (Sr) to thank for my birth. I don’t have President Clinton to thank for my upbringing. I don’t have President Bush (Jr) to thank for any financial success I have experienced or may experience in the future. I don’t have President Obama to thank for my appreciation of the arts or my talents, which I am able to share with those that I care most about. The only people I have to thank for my ability to feel the emotions I do about the beliefs that I care most about are my parents. My parents taught me how to love unconditionally no matter who the person is. My parents taught me to give freely and lovingly in order to assist those who need our support. My parents taught me how to respect women and how to care for those who need our protection. My parents taught me the sanctity of life and how to protect the rights of all who embrace our nation’s creed. Most importantly, my parents taught me to be myself. I am no more like you than you are like me. I don’t want you to believe the same things I do. I don’t want you to trust in the same God I place my faith in. I don’t want you to believe the same future for our children is in their best interest. I don’t want you to be me anymore than I want myself to be like you. I may choose to protect my family through gun ownership and you may choose to protect yours through trust of our local law enforcement. I may spend my income on music education for my children while you invest in their athletic endeavors. I may spend lavishly on clothing while you may be forced to buy sparingly due to financial circumstances. You may invest your funding in experiences while I spend my income on changing my daily routine. No matter who we are, no matter what we do, and no matter what we believe in, we are the future of our communities. We are the people who can uplift the downtrodden and invoke change on our culture’s belief systems. Only we can create the America that we dream is should be. If you want to complain about change, educate yourself on new opportunities that might be present for you and your family. If you feel that social progress has taken a back seat in your communities, donate your time and efforts to those who need your leadership. If you feel the need to hate those who oppose your views, choose the hate the circumstances that lead to their decision-making. Do not wish for your neighbor to be like you. Do not wish for your government to create a system that only benefits your family. Above all, do not wish for anyone other than yourself to educate your children and cultivate their future as compassionate and freethinking individuals. Your public school will not teach your children how to respect women. Your preacher will not teach them how to establish financial security for their future family. Above all, your president can not create a route in life that will provide just fulfillment for your family. Instead of choosing to take a side or be a part of the fabric of the political system in the United States, choose, today, to be a better parent. Choose, today, to be a better friend. Choose, today, to be a better husband. Choose, today, to be embrace what it means to be an imperfect human. I don’t like the phrase “Make American Great Again,” because it implies it was bad before. While we may not all agree on how the past has played out, we can all agree on one thing. The future is ours, and ours alone. So stop hurting those who disagree with you, and stop wishing disdain on those who you feel have let you down. Accept change, accept the future and accept love over all else.
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Adam P. PfaffCurrent Musings. Incessant Ramblings. Enjoy. Archives
December 2018
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