Recently the political
discourse in America has divided our country. We have lost the ability to
discuss, to communicate, to understand, to empathize. If you disagree with me,
you must be my enemy. If you disagree with me, I can show you no tolerance. We
gather here together, we rise here together, because as a school community, we
are united.
We are reminded of the words of Mahatma Gandi: “Be the
change that you wish to see in the world.” I am not waiting for a President to
drive change. I am not waiting for Congress to drive change. Change starts with
you and I. Change can occur at LCCTC, in New Castle, in Pennsylvania, in the
United States, and in the world.
As a student of history recent events have also
made me think of the words of Abraham Lincoln. Prior to becoming President of the United States, then
Senatorial Candidate Abraham Lincoln called upon the book of Matthew 12:22-28 for
his inspiration in the now famous House Divided Speech. Lincoln took the
original text which said: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every
city or house divided against itself will not stand,” and adapted it to the
context of the mid-19th century. Lincoln’s words were: “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I
believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I
do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the
house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all
one thing or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the
further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief
that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it
forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States, old as well as new —
North as well as South.”
Our house is divided. America is divided; black
and white, liberal and conservative, Democrat and Republican. We have forgotten
that we should celebrate our diversity, celebrate our differences. I too have
succumb to emotional visceral thoughts and actions over the last year. We can
do so no longer. Before we define ourselves by color, ethnicity, gender, creed,
sexual orientation, etc. can we not define ourselves as American? We are the
land of the free! We are the home of the brave!
Over the course of the summer of 2017, racism
played out on the national stage. And again, history has the answer. On August
28, 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the following words.: “I have a dream that my four little 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.” It is clear that 54 years later
we still need to work on making this dream a reality.
So I ask you today, do you want to be part of
the problem or part of the solution? No one here will stand alone. No one here
will kneel alone. We are stronger when we are arm and arm together.
Remember those who have been victims of social
injustice. Remember those who have served and paid the ultimate price for that
service.
I love this country because of the freedoms
provided. I love this country because we can peaceably assemble like we are
doing today! I love this country because we can disagree without being
disagreeable.
The person to your left is your neighbor, your
fellow American. The person to your right is your neighbor, your fellow
American! I ask that you help your neighbor. I ask that you respect your
neighbor. I ask that you love your neighbor. I ask that you understand your
neighbor. Let the Lawrence County CTC be the change you want to see in the
world.
If you want to stand together for social
justice, so do I!
If you want to stand together for respect of
our armed services, so do I!
If you want to stand together in respect for
first responders, so do I!
If you want to stand and be part of the
solution, so do I!
If you want to love your neighbor and help your
neighbor, so do I!
I ask at this time that you rise. Individually you
are but a link. Together we form a chain. I ask that you link your arms
together in a chain of Unity. Please rise, link arms, and remain standing for
the national anthem!
