Unity Chain

     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-19^th 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!