When my daughter told
me about my grandson’s latest great
accomplishment , I was completely astonished
when I heard him recite the “ Pledge of Allegiance” where his peers and
his teachers were in attendance. I was so proud and excited too. This truly was a great moment for him and his
whole family. It was a big deal. I also knew I was working on "The American Reparation Plan." My inner conflict started within hours after learning about my
grandson’s latest accomplishment.
I began to think about his future and all my grand children’s
future as well as others in their peer groups. The future is so bright for
them. Isn’t it? Or is it? Right now their parents and our educational system
are preparing them to compete and perform on a global stage. This reminded me that
our country needs to embrace and invest in all of her children according to
their talents and needs. For example, I have a question to America. My grandsons are Black . Will they be valued as much as his
White brothers? I pray so. I hope so.
My oldest grandson
has inspired me to work even harder to make this a reality because of this proud moment when
he recited the “The Pledge of Allegiance .That moment still gives me “goose
bumps.” My grandson actually believes “The Pledge Of Allegiance” with all his
heart as all children do at this age. They are completely innocent. When he
recited the phrase ‘and justice for all,” he motivated me to do better. I recommitted myself to
the promise I made to myself and
my God that I will do my part large or small to make a difference in the world .
I’m dedicated to America and I expect America to be dedicated to me too. This
way we can lessen each others pain. Strong citizenry makes a strong nation.
Let’s include all its citizens.
Let’s all go
the extra mile to make that happen for
all America’s children who will one day
be grown up into leaders of our great nation of destiny.. I have great
expectations for the future of America. Whether or not she values all her
citizens depends a lot on our individual and collective efforts. We need to demand
that She values all of Her citizens
without exception. So let us get involved. Speak up and speak out.
Then reality set in. I’m a realist. Let me put things in perspective
without being negative. Will he have the greatest opportunity to prosper?
Will young Black children have the same
opportunity as his White brothers? America knows the answer is no and seems
lost as to how to take corrective action.
Millions of Black children in
this country need a better chance to prosper
and live out the American Dream. The
Black community continues to need help and this country owes us money. This
country owes us an inheritance. Right
now will be the perfect time to rectify the situation because portions of the
Black community are in dire straits.
Simply stated, this seemingly never ending economic catastrophe
has hit segments of the Black community
so hard that it is going to take a long term commitment by the US Government to make a difference . This is a
huge problem.
But as always a huge problem presents a huge opportunity.
Here is a great opportunity to put America on a long term
economic boom. When Black America
Prospers all of America prospers. The
contrary is true too. We are living this truth right now. Let me ask you a
question. Suppose the unemployment rate in the Black Community was only 4% do
you think this economy will be sputtering like it is right now? Of course not.
The economy show signs of taking off but there is drag on it right now.
One drag on this
economy is the high unemployment rate in the Black community . Invest in the Black Community America and the Whole world will do better. It is
simply as that. The Black community is an integral part of this economy. You
can’t separate the Black community out
from the rest. Our problem is your problem too.
I believe my grandson has a better chance than his mother’s
generation. This is the way it is
expected. Why should Americans accept second class citizenship for any American?
Anything less than this is unacceptable
to me and it should be unacceptable to all Americans. We are in this together for
better or worse. I mean all of us! You
should stand up for all Americans because it is in all of our best interest to
keep this nation the strongest. The
surest way to keep America her strongest is to insure that all her citizen has
an equal opportunity to prosper under her laws. Can anyone say that this is
true right now? Of course not.
Simply stated,
America is one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”
as my grandson so eloquently recited to his peers and teachers.
Thank you for your time and interest!
Horace Justice
