“We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own”
This hymn of protest dates from the 1600’s when the Dutch rebelled against Spain’s King Philip who forbade them to gather to worship. It gained popularity during World Wars I and II, becoming associated with our Thanksgiving and was played at school convocations when I was a girl.
We were taught to believe in the American dream, American exceptionalism, America’s role in the world, the benefits of capitalism and democracy, and the Constitution. When I write about my ancestors, I realize how deep my roots go. One of the Kellys fought in the Revolution, and old Granny’s father fought for the North in the Civil War.
With the length restrictions of this column, I cannot present both sides of issues. I am well aware of the things that have been wrong and are still wrong with America. For example, I cannot think about my pioneer ancestors without considering the Indians who were dispossessed and traveled the Trail of Tears. It took tremendous struggles to gain women’s suffrage, the franchise of black people and greater equality, but there are still inequities, prejudice, and rigid mindsets.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. — The United States Constitution—Article 1
Some say that our Constitution is outdated and irrelevant, but it was a revolutionary document when hammered out and is still revolutionary when compared with the dictatorships and rigid theocracies of several countries whose people are terrorized by thugs.
Some say the word “America” with a sneer and see only negatives. Oddly enough some of its severest critics rose from humble beginnings to affluence. They’re fortunate not to live in a country where women must wear shrouds, are denied an education, are circumcised, whipped or stoned for the slightest infraction, cannot work or control money or where people are executed for practicing the wrong religion. A woman from the Congo where rape is a weapon of war is trying to find a way to get her family to America and begged me to take one of her daughters. In some countries a woman who accuses a man of rape is the one imprisoned.
I am free to practice or not practice a religion. Even though I was poor, I received a good education. I have my own checking account. I am so thankful that my daughter and I are western, American women.
If America is so horrible, why do so many people risk death to get here? An acquaintance and her husband made a dangerous escape from Poland while it was ruled by Russia. She said, “Everyone’s dreaming about America.”
I can call a President the south end of a north-bound horse with impunity, and the publishers of this paper can freely criticize officials. Our Mauritanian friend, Vadel, showed us a big lump on his chest and crooked toes from being tortured while imprisoned for writing something that displeased the government. “Rose, I love America’s justice!”
Coming home from Italy, I sat next to a sailor who had spent a year on a ship anchored off Djibouti on the horn of Africa. “It’s surely the world’s armpit! I saw bodies left in the streets and raggedy children collecting drinking water from mud puddles. No wonder the young men become terrorists: they have no education, no work, no hope. The minute I get off the plane in Dallas, I’m going to kneel down and kiss the soil of America.” All things considered, I’m stickin’ with America! wclarke@comcast.net
P.S. I didn’t mention the full bellies we’ll have on Thanksgiving.