Elected Officials
Some time back I posted a survey about the US flag. Surprising, some Americans (VETERANS) said they wouldn’t fly the US Flag. Never mind the fact, that they are free to leave (but choose to stay)…I wonder if we as a people are engaged in the political process.
If you had all the money and time you needed…would you run for office to make our plight better?
If the schools in your area were too run down and no one cared…would you step up to change it?
If crime in your hood was out of control…would you try to make a difference from a seat of power?
If the politicians in your district turned a blind eye to your people…would you have the guts to challenge them for the seat?
Or…do you want someone else to do it?
If so, how exactly would you support that “someone else”?
Thoughts?
If you had all the money and time you needed…would you run for office to make our plight better?
If the schools in your area were too run down and no one cared…would you step up to change it?
If crime in your hood was out of control…would you try to make a difference from a seat of power?
If the politicians in your district turned a blind eye to your people…would you have the guts to challenge them for the seat?
Or…do you want someone else to do it?
If so, how exactly would you support that “someone else”?
Thoughts?
As far as the first part of your post, I would share that sentiment, but after reading the book, "We Were There: Voices of African-American Veterans, From World War II to the War in Iraq," I am more understanding about why African-American Veterans would feel that way.
Yes, this is the land of the free and all that stuff, but it is the struggle to be identified as a truly free member in the land that wears down your eagerness to fly the flag due to racism, discrimination, etc. My dad never served in the military and he was, of course, from the South and three times a year he raised that flag on our porch faithfully. Everyday, he cursed the white man for being racist. Faithfully.
Now, as far as elected officials, I am probably as frustrated as everybody else. However, I am a die-hard advocate who believes in the rights of individuals with developmental delays with a passion. Therefore, I prefer to be watching, legislating, advocating, and otherwise holding officials accountable to guarantee the individual rights of that population of Americans.
Is it a coincidence that African-American individuals with special needs (i.e., ADHD, Bipolar children) are the least likely to have a quality of life due to the fact that their individual rights are constantly violated and information about services withheld?
Ok, back to the post--