"I had the misfortune of being nourished by the visions and dreams of great Americans- the poets and seers. Some other breed of man has won out." -Henry Miller, 1945
Well Mr. Miller, not today. Today we have seen the fruition of the famous lines that Jefferson penned so long ago, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal," Perhaps the dreams of our forefathers are finally being realized today, the dreams of Dr. King and the work of Lincoln. Maybe hope isn't a dead currency in America after all.
To a certain extent, I can see what Mr. Miller is saying about, "Some other breed of man has won out," as I was raised on the same poets; but it's tough to live up to the poets and seers, and their visions of what this great nation could become. It's hard to strive for that more perfect union and a better lot in life for all. But can we not appeal to the better angels of our nature? I don't know about you, but don't you think we ought to try?
The last batch of clowns sure didn't.
It's a great day to be an American,
Doc
I think that MLK’s dream has some way left to run. Without wanting to bring too much of a downer to proceedings, a few comparative stats are sobering.
ReplyDeleteThe US Census declared that in 2007 the rate of poverty among white people is 10.5%. For black people, is is 24.5%.
Life expectancy of US whites is 78.0, for blacks it is 72.8.
Among American men, the median income of African-American men was approximately 76 cents on every dollar of their white counterparts.
The median income of African-American families was $33,255 compared to $53,356 of white Americans.
I think we've come a long way. We have a long way to go, but it's healthy to acknowledge successes on the way to final goals. It's a morale thing.
ReplyDeleteI really didn't pay a lick of attention to the whole thing, being chained to my desk calling cranky ol' poops on the phone re: their Medicare options all day.
ReplyDeleteBUT I share the sentiment!! Besides, any good x-cuse to drink beer is a good one!!