There are a lot of unfinished or unfulfilled promises we experience during our lifetime. Still, one promise we all hope to achieve is that America will live up to the hopes and dreams of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence for all mankind. Although this country belonged to the Native Americans before anyone ever crossed the ocean to discover it, immigrants have been coming here for generations, hoping for a better life for themselves and their families. My maternal ancestors arrived here from the shores of Germany during the late 1800s and the early 1900s, and my paternal family came here in chains as enslaved people. Before I go any further, I believe Native American people have been mistreated in their homeland, and they continue to be pushed to the sidelines regarding the promise of America. No matter what the past may have brought, together, we can fight for a better tomorrow and help realize unfulfilled promises that will make America the country it is meant to be.
There are many slogans floating around today that talk about taking America back or making America great again. What does that mean, and for who? America is great and will continue to be great because the people that make up our country make it a great nation. America is comprised of people who came to this country in various ways with the same hope: to have a better life. The ones who were forced here due to slavery also hoped for a better life for their families and the generations that came after them. When someone says we should take America back, is that coming from our Native American brothers and sisters who walked these roads way before anyone of European, Asian, or African descent? No, these statements usually come from people who wish to take America back when it was “comfortable” for a particular group of people but do not represent what was best for all Americans. I also feel that some people who make these statements do not realize the magnitude of what they are saying.
“The Unfinished Promise of America” is a concept that refers to the idea that the United States, while founded on principles of freedom, equality, and justice, has yet to realize these ideals for all its citizens fully. This notion acknowledges the nation’s achievements and progress but also recognizes the ongoing struggles and challenges that prevent the complete fulfillment of its foundational promises due to racial, economic, social, and gender disparities, to name just a few. If we are going to “get back” to anything, let us get back to the basics in which this country was founded, such as liberty, justice, and freedom for all its citizens. We also long for and hope for equality for everyone and the right for each person to pursue happiness. Where did practicing basic manners and caring about the betterment of all human beings go? The promise to start practicing kindness might be a great beginning.
America is and will forever be a work in progress, with unfulfilled promises around various inequalities. However, it is still the best country in the world, and if each of us is willing to take a stand against injustice in our own corners of the world and show love toward each other, we can have hope that one day we will get a little closer to justice for all. Even if it is not during our lifetime, hopefully for our children and grandchildren where they can live together harmoniously, loving their country and neighbor. During the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated in his “I Have a Dream” speech that he hoped that one day we could all sit down at the table of brotherhood. It is never too late to help fulfill the unfinished promise of America. Let us start today in our own families and neighborhoods. Will you join me? #ThePromiseofAmerica
Healing Without Hate: It’s a choice. It’s a lifestyle. Pass it on.
Visit www.WendyGladney.com and www.forgivingforliving.org to learn more. Wendy is a life strategist, coach, consultant, author, and speaker.
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