I have just come back from a journey in the world of nearly five months. I have traveled 15,000 miles. I set foot on three continents. I have visited five countries, four African islands and five African colonies. I have sailed under five flags. I have seen a black president inaugurated. I have walked the African big bush and heard the night cry of leopards. I have traded in African markets, talked with African chiefs and been the guest of white governors. I have seen the Alhambra and the great mosque at Cordova and lunched with H.G. Wells; and I am full, very full with things that must be said. - Written by W. E. B Dubois on December 16, 1923.
I too stand before you today full of questions that beg to be answered. Why am I a 17 year old high school senior plagued with concern in a world of uncertainty? It is perpetuated for many reasons. Some of those reasons are the lack of adult leadership, the lack of economic security, and the lack of knowing our history. The tale goes if you do not know your history; you will be doomed to repeat it. I am committed to learning and practicing the steps that are necessary to doing my part in healing our country economically and culturally.
Is it fairI too stand before you today full of questions that beg to be answered. Why am I a 17 year old high school senior plagued with concern in a world of uncertainty? It is perpetuated for many reasons. Some of those reasons are the lack of adult leadership, the lack of economic security, and the lack of knowing our history. The tale goes if you do not know your history; you will be doomed to repeat it. I am committed to learning and practicing the steps that are necessary to doing my part in healing our country economically and culturally.
that a young 8 year old boy was turned away with his mother from a barber shop because of the texture of his hair? That young 8 year old boy was me and at the time I did not understand the concept of discrimination. As the product of a socially accepted inter-racial couple, I understand that America has come a long way from the bigotry of generations before mine. This is exemplified in recent events such as Senator John McCain delivering his concession speech. He sited, "A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and frightful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States." This is proof that we are moving towards a more UNITED States of America.
When one thinks of anything that is beneficial
in times of crisis- we should not be thinking of the weapons of war or pointing the finger in order to place blame but instead think of the knowledge that is overflowing everywhere for the taking. The weapon of knowledge has saved the heart of America in economic crisis and War-time before and can do the same today. I hope the leaders of our beloved country take advantage of it. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke out against the Vietnam War and his motto was saving the soul of America. I believe Dr. King was explaining that if our leaders did not use the necessary knowledge to end the war at the right time our country would be like an 18 wheeler truck going full speed without a driver. To end this present economic crisis and gain back our morality and economic security the U.S. must not be a blind pilot handing out bailouts left and right but instead look deep into the problem and see where the foundation started to deteriorate and start repairing the damage not patching it up.
Building goodwill and better friendships
among American citizens is the necessary first step to unifying our country. The overall enthusiasm in our recent electoral process shows proof that America is ready and willing to build a bridge over our differences to help restore our prosperity and to defend our security in a dangerous world. The Former Triboro bridge was renamed the Robert F. Kennedy bridge not too long ago and RFK Jr. believed this tribute to his father was appropriate because his father was "about bridging all the differences". I like many Americans preceding me, am a literal embodiment of what can happen when different worlds come together. A bridge; African American, Caucasian and West Indian cultures came together to create the young man standing before you today. I am the bridge between our history and the future. I am the bridge that can increase communication between young and old. I am the Bridge that can articulate why my generation's pants may sag lower than the Dow Jones stock market. I am the BRIDGE that must find a way to maintain, nurture, & restore a planet passed onto my generation in such dire state. I know that I am not alone on this interstate- 911 as you can see by the presence of my peers who are also here today. It is only by BRIDGING our gaps together that we can create a real bridge over troubled waters. We as a people must unite together and construct this bridge- Our nation, the present, and your future depend on it. Many of our former leaders built their legacy on these four points so that I could stand upon them and have a VIEW from a BRIDGE.
among American citizens is the necessary first step to unifying our country. The overall enthusiasm in our recent electoral process shows proof that America is ready and willing to build a bridge over our differences to help restore our prosperity and to defend our security in a dangerous world. The Former Triboro bridge was renamed the Robert F. Kennedy bridge not too long ago and RFK Jr. believed this tribute to his father was appropriate because his father was "about bridging all the differences". I like many Americans preceding me, am a literal embodiment of what can happen when different worlds come together. A bridge; African American, Caucasian and West Indian cultures came together to create the young man standing before you today. I am the bridge between our history and the future. I am the bridge that can increase communication between young and old. I am the Bridge that can articulate why my generation's pants may sag lower than the Dow Jones stock market. I am the BRIDGE that must find a way to maintain, nurture, & restore a planet passed onto my generation in such dire state. I know that I am not alone on this interstate- 911 as you can see by the presence of my peers who are also here today. It is only by BRIDGING our gaps together that we can create a real bridge over troubled waters. We as a people must unite together and construct this bridge- Our nation, the present, and your future depend on it. Many of our former leaders built their legacy on these four points so that I could stand upon them and have a VIEW from a BRIDGE.
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