I believe I must be feeling many of the same things a majority of Americans might also be feeling but afraid to say for fear of offending a friend or being ostracized for having a different opinion then someone else.
Life in America has changed significantly and in my opinion…… I most genuinely dislike the road we are on!!!! I am completely aware that “in current day America” when you express an opinion that differs from another person it is very common for people who think differently then you to now “place a label on you and call you “a hater” …… for daring to express your opinion!
It doesn’t matter how or why we ended up at this point…… what truly matters is continuing forward this way seems so foreign and “un-American” to me.
I am quite aware that our history as Americans was never perfect and discrimination, hate, and division was very much an active part of our history….. possibly because I was very young when it was happening, my exposure was limited and my parents were not “inflamers” constantly discussing only one very opinionated mindset or view (like what is available today with 24 hour 7 days a week opinionated televised coverage).
I am totally at a loss for why our past division felt less scary to me then our current division does….but what I do know for sure is that my career choice for caring for people…. Has taught me love for ALL regardless of cultural upbringing, religious believes, political opinions, physical appearances, physical or mental abilities. We NEED to be WILLING TO SEE THE PERSON FIRST! We need to get away from division by “NOT LABELING PEOPLE”…….. choosing sides or dividing into groups.
Even if you feel extremely devoted to your Christian faith it is imperative that we love all people and pray for them. As a Christian I have complete faith in the power of God and feel I should never be judgmental of other human beings or question their independent beliefs. We can also support and respect people of differing beliefs without believing they are doing something wrong simply because their footsteps may not follow the exact path as the one I may have chosen to follow.
Today’s world seems to want to choose sides and make life into a “competitive sport” atmosphere and thrive on who should “win” or who is the “most right” I find this incredibly SAD we are ALL HUMANS. We all feel pain, we all are devastated by the loss of a loved one no matter what side we are on……and because we are all human we all will sometimes make mistakes, sometimes mispeak, sometimes bleed, feel trauma and possibly speak with emotions over logic…… instead OF LEADING with “chosen religious belief, political party affiliation, or any other cultural belief or “LABLE” we may strongly believe in…….. let’s start seeing each other and loving each other as people first!
Let’s unanimously refrain from labeling each other in descriptive ways, making fun of and excluding those with differences and begin showing respect to all people! Nothing will ever change if we approach life as a competitive sport “label” each other and divide into sides! ☹️
Unity should not be a “power grab” by the richest, the loudest, the scariest or most threatening individuals…… if this happens haven’t we totally lost our identity as the United States…. Isn’t individual Unity of it’s citizens the very distinctive trait that American Identity thrives on?
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
Carmela Snelbaker 