November 14, 2008

On Point

Hope and change

By Bill Highlander
Editor

We have witnessed an historic election. America has chosen as its leader for the next four years an Afro-American male who stirred hope and change for our country. Barrack Obama, through brilliant organization and words of promise, won the election and will soon face the tasks of governance. Here are a few things I hope for.

I hope the media stops saying it’s the first time when a person of an ethic group achieves notoriety. We should focus on the accomplishments of the person, not the color of one’s skin, or the ancestral heritage. Martin Luther King, in his I Have a Dream speech, said that he hoped for the day when persons “will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” We have taken a giant leap in that direction.

I hope persons of color or of ethic background stop using hyphenated descriptors. Not all African-Americans have dark skin. Why is it necessary to identify Vietnamese-Americans? Or Mexican-Americans? Or any other heritage? Diversity does not mean divisiveness. We should celebrate diversity and honor our particular cultural background, but it should be sufficient to think of ourselves and others as just Americans.

I hope for more tolerance. Our moral beliefs and cultural differences cause strong emotions, but it’s important to respect others and treat people with the Golden Rule.

I hope for more volunteerism. Our president-elect demonstrated the importance of volunteers and involvement with causes during the campaign. There are so many good things to be accomplished if people will spare a few hours to help. We see the benefits of parent volunteers in our schools, the compassion shown for the homeless and the hungry, but more can be done. The arts need support so that out cultural programs can enrich our lives.

The power of volunteers is seen in Evergreen. Graffiti defaces our neighborhoods, but due to a dedicated volunteer and cooperation with authorities, several of the more egregious taggers have been stopped and face criminal charges. Neighbors looking out for each other is a good thing.

I hope consumer confidence returns soon. Greed has caused fear and panic among investors and in our economic infrastructure. The new administration will have to find solutions. But we can help in some ways. Yes, we have to watch more closely how we spend our money, but when we do purchase items and services, try to do so at our neighborhood restaurants, grocer stores, pharmacies, and businesses.

We will soon have new leaders at the national and local levels. There is opportunity for hope and change. We should support the efforts to make the world the way we want it to be.