WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES JULY 9, 2020 13
Marking July 4 under protest and pandemic
BY DR. GEORGE ONUORAH
This very important annual commemoration
of American independence,
instead of having her usual
festive fl avor, had lukewarm fanfare
devoid of the usual family pomp and
pageantry such as picnics, barbecues,
fun at the beach and trips to connect
with family in far and wide places.
The reasons were very obvious:
this unfortunate COVID-19 pandemic
that has taken the lives of thousands
of Americans, in addition to recent
protests calling out what some consider
American history of racism and sadism
of police brutality and politics of leaders
not adequately addressing the matter.
This particular July 4 was to be a family
celebration marking America’s 244
years of Independence from England following
the 13 colonies seceding to attain
political sovereignty. Again, being that
we are in an election year, you get not
just the type of fi reworks we are used
to but political fi reworks of Democrats
assailing Republicans for the ills of this
dispensation under President Trump’s
leadership.
Unfortunately, some have a lukewarm
attitude to celebrating the Fourth of July,
questioning not just how perfect the
American Union is, but upset at recent
events, particularly the police-involved
killing of George Floyd, other aspects
of racism and documented history of
treating Black Americans as secondclass
citizens.
All I can say is that we have a long
way to go to achieve that utopia called
“perfect union.”
Does political civility not require all
of us to act appropriately to get along
and fi nd the best ways to extend the
olive branch? Aristotle maintains “man
is by nature a political animal” and so is
constantly at odds with one another for
leverage and opportunity to get ahead.
Against this background, the American
Constitution, considered arguably
the most sacred document in modern
political history, talks about guaranteeing
all Americans’ life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness. Some may ask
what about justice, equality and freedom
to worship and assemble for a just
cause? The taste of the pudding is in the
eating. This may not be the best time to
delve into that.
As far as I’m concerned, Americans
still have a long way to go in achieving
that enviable utopia referred to in the
Constitution as a “more perfect union.”
In the absence of attaining that hopeful
political ideal, my take is that “all human
institutions are subject to gross imperfection.”
The consensus of opinion remains
that America has a long way to go
to achieve true unbiased equality. The
OP-ED
work is in progress as political leaders
must eschew politics and roll up their
sleeves to come together in harmony as
they work toward their ultimate goal.
The usual posturing is not the answer,
nor are the rehearsed soundbites
that achieve nothing except postponing
the doomsday, if you ask me.
Throughout political history, strained
relationships tarnished for centuries
can be rebuilt and strengthened, but
leaders must subjugate their political
ego to want to do it for their constituency
and posterity.
In the final analysis, the goal is
perfecting a union that, from its inception,
was never perfect. Whatever
those founding fathers envisioned,
even with good intentions, remains a
mirage to this day. But the solution is
reasonable. People need to agree and
come together to resume dialogue
instead of confrontation that leads to
no positive end.
If there is any time to tone down the
rhetoric, it’s now or never. So let’s actually
recall and remember what John F.
Kennedy inaugural address on Jan. 20,
1961: “Ask not what your country can
do for you, ask what you can do for
your country.”
And we should all heed the words
of Martin Luther King Jr.. “I have a
dream that my four children will one
day live in a nation where they will not
be judged by the color of their skin but
by the content of their character.” With
that I rest my case.
Dr. George Onuorah is the author of
“A Political Diary of A Rising Son,” social
justice activist and humanitarian
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