I for one felt that it was "on point", in the sense of being what Americans needed to hear, so that we might actually believe things are not only getting better but will get better (soon). Personally, I'm not 100% sure what to think of the year to come, although for some time I have "predicted" that 2014 will be the year where we start to notice things are getting better. It'll be a while before the numbers are in to support or refute such a claim.
For this post; however, I want to take a small amount of time to think back on some things that have undoubtedly shaped not only where we are as a county, but also how our President is perceived.
Before we can do that though...
Foreign Policy
Before President Obama (and sometimes during his administration), America has taken this place of being the "golden child" in the World. Now, with regards to dollars for aid and leading the way (for some time in the past) in technological advancements among other things, this makes perfect sense. However, the issue of how long we continue to project a false "perception" of ourselves must be questioned. Are we really exceptional? That's one to ponder yourself. Countries such as India might disagree (and we won't even talk about China).
There have been mentions of America being referred to as "the World's police", or a "bully" on the playground, no one wants to mess with. As the song states, history isn't my best subject but from a foreign policy standpoint some of our current dealings (especially one of the longest wars in our nation's recent history) is directly tied to how we have dealt with our neighbors in the past. From a humanitarian standpoint I do believe that we do a phenomenal job and other nations who are able, typically follow our lead. I suppose here I just want you to consider how much the International community's perception of us, plays a role in how we perceive ourselves...and not only perceive ourselves but live in such a way that this perception becomes our reality (insert U-S-A chant here).
Nothing wrong with being patriotic, supporting your fellow countrymen and women, or being proud of where you're from and who you identify with; be careful that your pride and excitement doesn't spill over into arrogance. It really is a thin line. For the record much of what I see as the "America is the best nation" tends to be tied to a Republican frame of mind, most notably heightened during the Bush administration. To be fair it's probably been this way for some time (i.e. Before the Clinton Administration).
Race Relations
Can really talk about this all day...
We're at (yet another) pivotal point for race relations in our country. Because of the "success" of the Civil Rights Movement, many feel as if race isn't an issue. I mean, we have a black president #nuffSaid Seriously though, the fact that he (in the past) has gotten the most disrespect out of arguably any President in recent history tends to favor the argument that much of this is due to his identity as an African-American (person of color in general). But if you think this is bad, wait until another black person wins the Presidency; hopefully, they'll be more gracious once a black woman takes office. I know many people reading this are thinking, "That'll be the day." Well, Hell froze over for many folk January 20, 2009.
Back to the discussion. Since 2012 three black males have been shot and killed in what is becoming comfortably known as another "Trayvon Martin Case" (or Stand Your Ground). You might say that this doesn't give attribution that we have a race problem in the US, but when you consider 2014's case of Claudius Smith who chased down a youth by hopping over a fence into another apartment complex without evidence that the youth had stolen anything or threatened Smith in any type of way, it does more than make you go hmm...especially since sagging pants equates a burglar, but not just any burglar, an armed burglar.
I won't rehash the Trayvon case...most people don't understand the difference between racism and prejudice. A lot of folks continue to live out certain stereotypes which they would damn other cultures for making fun of these same things. Much like politics race continues to be a point of contention and division no matter how much we come together and play nice on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Still think race isn't an issue? Why do you think it's taken so long to make progress on immigration reform, like admitting that something has to be done?! We know the Republican party has some history of not being exactly kind to outsiders who aren't reflective of what used to be the "Good Ol' Boys Club". It's not a coincidence that recent efforts to "rebrand" the red party after the Tea Party hijacking involves reaching out specifically to minorities and women, letting them know, "Hey, we care about you too!"
One anecdote that I want to add is the three shootings I'm referring to of Trayvon Martin (George Zimmerman), Jordan Davis (Michael Dunn), and Ricardo Sanes (Claudius Smith) all happened in Florida. Maybe it's a Florida thing, but most people who live in Florida come from OTHER parts of the country.
Get my migratory drift?
Also, the Stand Your Ground Law is only sometimes invoked in cases like these and we have seen it go both ways as far as race. The main issue is when people decide to do stupid things knowing that they can lean back on a law that should see things black and white, but often leads to a ruling which is very grey (especially on a moral level).
For this post; however, I want to take a small amount of time to think back on some things that have undoubtedly shaped not only where we are as a county, but also how our President is perceived.
Before we can do that though...
Foreign Policy
Before President Obama (and sometimes during his administration), America has taken this place of being the "golden child" in the World. Now, with regards to dollars for aid and leading the way (for some time in the past) in technological advancements among other things, this makes perfect sense. However, the issue of how long we continue to project a false "perception" of ourselves must be questioned. Are we really exceptional? That's one to ponder yourself. Countries such as India might disagree (and we won't even talk about China).
There have been mentions of America being referred to as "the World's police", or a "bully" on the playground, no one wants to mess with. As the song states, history isn't my best subject but from a foreign policy standpoint some of our current dealings (especially one of the longest wars in our nation's recent history) is directly tied to how we have dealt with our neighbors in the past. From a humanitarian standpoint I do believe that we do a phenomenal job and other nations who are able, typically follow our lead. I suppose here I just want you to consider how much the International community's perception of us, plays a role in how we perceive ourselves...and not only perceive ourselves but live in such a way that this perception becomes our reality (insert U-S-A chant here).
Nothing wrong with being patriotic, supporting your fellow countrymen and women, or being proud of where you're from and who you identify with; be careful that your pride and excitement doesn't spill over into arrogance. It really is a thin line. For the record much of what I see as the "America is the best nation" tends to be tied to a Republican frame of mind, most notably heightened during the Bush administration. To be fair it's probably been this way for some time (i.e. Before the Clinton Administration).
Race Relations
Can really talk about this all day...
We're at (yet another) pivotal point for race relations in our country. Because of the "success" of the Civil Rights Movement, many feel as if race isn't an issue. I mean, we have a black president #nuffSaid Seriously though, the fact that he (in the past) has gotten the most disrespect out of arguably any President in recent history tends to favor the argument that much of this is due to his identity as an African-American (person of color in general). But if you think this is bad, wait until another black person wins the Presidency; hopefully, they'll be more gracious once a black woman takes office. I know many people reading this are thinking, "That'll be the day." Well, Hell froze over for many folk January 20, 2009.
Back to the discussion. Since 2012 three black males have been shot and killed in what is becoming comfortably known as another "Trayvon Martin Case" (or Stand Your Ground). You might say that this doesn't give attribution that we have a race problem in the US, but when you consider 2014's case of Claudius Smith who chased down a youth by hopping over a fence into another apartment complex without evidence that the youth had stolen anything or threatened Smith in any type of way, it does more than make you go hmm...especially since sagging pants equates a burglar, but not just any burglar, an armed burglar.
I won't rehash the Trayvon case...most people don't understand the difference between racism and prejudice. A lot of folks continue to live out certain stereotypes which they would damn other cultures for making fun of these same things. Much like politics race continues to be a point of contention and division no matter how much we come together and play nice on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Still think race isn't an issue? Why do you think it's taken so long to make progress on immigration reform, like admitting that something has to be done?! We know the Republican party has some history of not being exactly kind to outsiders who aren't reflective of what used to be the "Good Ol' Boys Club". It's not a coincidence that recent efforts to "rebrand" the red party after the Tea Party hijacking involves reaching out specifically to minorities and women, letting them know, "Hey, we care about you too!"
One anecdote that I want to add is the three shootings I'm referring to of Trayvon Martin (George Zimmerman), Jordan Davis (Michael Dunn), and Ricardo Sanes (Claudius Smith) all happened in Florida. Maybe it's a Florida thing, but most people who live in Florida come from OTHER parts of the country.
Get my migratory drift?
Also, the Stand Your Ground Law is only sometimes invoked in cases like these and we have seen it go both ways as far as race. The main issue is when people decide to do stupid things knowing that they can lean back on a law that should see things black and white, but often leads to a ruling which is very grey (especially on a moral level).
Healthcare
All I'm going to say about healthcare is it's always good to have insurance in case something happens, because when you least expect it LIFE happens. Wouldn't you hate to be caught with "your pants down" so-to-speak?! Many people have their own thoughts and opinions on the Affordable Care Act. The reality is the system is broken and unless you have an actual plan to counter or improve Obamacare, you just need to file in line and make sure you're covered. Some people have saved money, some have paid more, and plenty of young people are still trying to be convinced to sign up so that it actually works.
One of the political pundits before the State of the Union last night mentioned that for the most part we are an America who "want something to be done". We don't necessarily care who does it or have a preference for how it's done, so long as it gets done.
Post by Marcus Smith.
Gay Marriage
This game. is. over.
I think the worst part is that people are not willing to come together and talk (sound familiar?). Whether you're Christian, a person of non-faith, or someone who just wants to mind their own business, there is so much more we could be doing to address this in a peaceful manner. Next week I'll drop a new post with an honorable mention of the 2014 Winter Olympics being held in Sochi (Russia). And as far as not handling the conversation properly, it's on both sides and many Christians carry more than their share of the blame (as well as the burden of their own cross, assuming they've actually decided to carry it).
Immigration Reform
If I see one more story like this...WTF is wrong with you people?! Don't you understand America is made up of people who aren't even from here, especially those who think they portray what it means to be American (i.e. White, male...and more white)???
UPDATE ADDED 2/2/14: America Don't Fail Me Now
Post by Marcus Smith.
And how dumb do you have to be to not know the National Anthem is the Star Spangled Banner?!
Oh, I know!
What a wonderful world...
What a wonderful country...
What a wonderful people we could be...
Sumthn2Ponder (s2p):
- Is America still the "best nation" in the world?
- Do we have a race problem in America?
- What do I think about the state of the union?
Links for Consideration(L4C):
- State of the Union necessary?
- What a Wonderful World
- Obama for a Son
- God appointed?
- A Race to Good to Lose
