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Protest: The Cry of Humanity

When Diverse Cultures Speak as One Voice

By J.T. WellingtonPublished 6 years ago 4 min read
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There is no need to protest when the cry of humanity is followed up with right action after speaking truth to power.

Democracy—in its healthiest state—is where public servants (elected or appointed) are ambassadors for voters who put them in office.

Campaign promises are easy to make. However, once in office, the author of the promise learns any attempt to honor promises might be hindered if those attempts threaten to take away power and influence from people in established positions of power.

Meanwhile, a protest is percolating.

Why can't "they" just do what "they" promised?

Behind the scene, navigating a network of people in positions of power is a challenge. When people in positions of power flex their influence, the ripple effect is subject to impact the daily business of living for voters.

Over time, it can appear as if the person who made the promise is not following through on the promise.

Something has to be done to save face, right? The public is losing hope a promise will be delivered. Integrity of character is at stake.

Options for damage control are on the table. The next move has to be strong to send a clear message push back is not taken lightly.

What would Machiavelli do? Let's see… change criteria to qualify for programs created to help low-income families no matter how it affects:

  • caregivers in a family
  • daycare arrangements within a family
  • unemployed members of a family

Agitate voters with politically-charged rhetoric.

Who made America?

The Land Before Immigrants

According to the article, "Native American Cultures," the land we know today as America was discovered by "the nomadic ancestors of [today's] Native Americans."

It is recorded their ancestors "[migrated] over a land bridge from Asia to […] Alaska about 12,000 years before Christopher Columbus was given credit for discovering America. Who discovered the land bridge?

Forgive the history lesson.

Let's back track to the land bridge.

The National Park Service gives some insight into this discovery through its blog on the "History of the Bering Land Bridge Theory," complete with a map of the area. Spoiler: Vitus Bering was asked by, then Russian czar, Peter the Great to lead the journey in that area. Bering Strait. Ring a bell?

What does this have to do with protesting?

An overview of American history is necessary to refresh the memory of anyone who went to any school system in America. It may help explain why there is a multi-cultural presence when a protest takes place.

How was America made?

What raises the eyebrows of many people, reading the historical timeline of America, are the claims early settlers made to land already settled by Native Americans.

That is an ongoing discussion for another time.

Immigrants came to America for a number of reasons:

  • better economic opportunities
  • religious freedom (Pilgrims, Puritans)
  • famine (Ireland)

English convicts were among the immigrants. Nevertheless, there are success stories of immigrants with thriving communities. Through the years, immigrant contributions to American society have been recognized.

Let's talk about that.

When people march in protest, it is in response to an injustice justified through a biased opinion of entitlement. Then too, some people march as a way of saying they agree on justice even when they did not experience the injustice directly.

Despite America’s history of racism, there were—and yet are—people of diverse cultures and ethnic groups fighting together for justice.

Back in the days of Italian and Japanese Internment Camps, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 most communities were filled with people who lived by the same values.

Even if there were disagreements on religion or politics, there was the shared value of respect for:

  • Hard work
  • Honest living
  • Helping neighbors

America is still young in developing a national consciousness of true citizenship embracing diverse cultures within its borders.

We often see articles about climate change with advice on what to do to leave the earth in good condition for future generations of family.

Now we must think of what to do to leave America in good condition for future generations of our families.

That moment silence of apathy is not an option.

We can sit back, do nothing, and insist on staying out of politics; or we can stand up, do something and insist on learning about politics so we can make informed choices when it is time to vote.

America advanced to its current position in history because citizens took advantage of exercising their right to vote.

Of course, there will be people standing by their decision (and their right) not to vote; but they will not refuse enjoying the benefits made possible by people who take time to vote.

The irony about an individual or an organization responsible for injustice is how easily offended they are when injustice happens to them.

The ripple effect of injustice flows through humanity.

Racism is like a chronic disease without a cure. The only treatment strong enough to break its grip on affected humanity is unconditional love.

None of us were able to choose our ancestors. Therefore, we should understand what it feels like to get blamed and mistreated for a family history over which we have no control.

Yet we have control over deciding to speak up for ourselves or to speak on behalf of others who don’t know they have a right to speak up.

A protest amplifies the cry of humanity.

opinion
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About the Creator

J.T. Wellington

J.T. Wellington loves to read, research, write and chat in random order on topics people are subject to talk about offline every day.

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