...allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation, under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
How many times did I recite that pledge as a little girl with my hand over my heart? I have no idea. But I know that I haven't said it for a very long time. It's been that long since I believed that in this Nation, there was liberty and justice for all. I won't belabor the point by citing the everyday injustices that as I became aware of them, chipped away at that belief and replaced it with cynicism, a little at a time. Some of you will read this and never have heard me say any of this. That's because a part of that cynicism was invisible, even to me. It's difficult to articulate intangibles that are missing from your life; until they appear, and you wonder where they were all along. The other part, I wouldn't have said aloud, for fear of other's judgment or appearing unpatriotic. For it wasn't patriotism, in the true sense of love for my country, that I lacked, it was the absence of the belief that in this country, freedom and equality were accessible to everyone.
Today is a new day. I watched as a Nation came together and witnessed a historic event. I watched people articulate what it felt to finally feel a part of this country, for the first time. I felt the pride and sentiment Lee Greenwood sings about in God Bless the USA. And while I realize that this happened, not because, today Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States, but, because my perceptions shifted and I changed.
Then I came home and watched Oprah's episode from yesterday (stick with me...this is going somewhere, I promise)! If you didn't see it, you should check out Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher's video that was featured. Now before you totally write this post off as just me getting sucked into our celebrity-obsessed culture, you should know that I was totally inspired by their concept. So after watching that and after watching history being made today, I pledged a few things of my own. Below you will find my pledge and just maybe, you'll watch the video and feel compelled to write your own pledge and post it for others to read.
I pledge to donate my time to one organization this year that will promote and encourage Latinos in Indiana to explore higher education as a post-secondary option. I pledge to donate 1 lb. of food to a local food pantry for every pound I lose. I pledge to, every week, turn off the TV for one night and do something more meaningful. I pledge to think of myself as, not just Puerto Rican, but, an American (yes, Michael Strahan may have said it first, but it was important not to leave it out, especially if you've read my 16 Things note). I pledge to remember that I am an educator, even on the most difficult, frustrating days at work, and that everyday my goal is to learn more than I could ever teach.
Are you thinking about your pledge yet?
No comments:
Post a Comment