On this President's Day, I cannot help but reflect on what our current President faces. The enormity of what lies before us may seem daunting, yet we as a nation have been through much over the centuries, and though it may take us time to figure things out, we are getting there. Yet how do we do this? My thoughts run to the image of our nation's Senators, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before every session and to President Barack Obama, who gave an inspiring speech in his final address to the United Nations on September 20, 2016, in which a hope for our future found its bedrock in that Pledge, and where he set forth a possible blueprint for the future of our world. [If you can spare 45 minutes or so, it's worth the time. Here is the YouTube URL: https://youtu.be/ji6pl5Vwrvk] |
Here are some excerpts: |
"Today, a nation ringed by walls would only imprison itself." |
"We must reject any forms of fundamentalism, or racism, or a belief in ethnic superiority... Instead we need to embrace the tolerance that results from respect of all human beings." |
"And in my own life, in this country, and as President, I have learned that our identities do not have to be defined by putting someone else down, but can be enhanced by lifting somebody else up. They don’t have to be defined in opposition to others, but rather by a belief in liberty and equality and justice and fairness." |
"And the embrace of these principles as universal doesn't weaken my particular pride, my particular love for America -- it strengthens it. My belief that these ideals apply everywhere doesn’t lessen my commitment to help those who look like me, or pray as I do, or pledge allegiance to my flag. But my faith in those principles does force me to expand my moral imagination and to recognize that I can best serve my own people, I can best look after my own daughters, by making sure that my actions seek what is right for all people and all children, and your daughters and your sons." "This is what I believe: that all of us can be co-workers with God. And our leadership, and our governments, and this United Nations should reflect this irreducible truth." |
Let's move into 2021 with that commitment to everyone, like Obama said, striving to embody our nation's Pledge of Allegiance, "WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!" |
- David Fuller, NTC Past President |