"All men are created equal." Those words are so misleading as they paint a picture of a level playing ground right from conception. This moment mothers are giving birth to babies all around the U.S.A., each new member of the world unigue but certainly not enjoying equality with each other.
In the first place, figuratively speaking, some are born with a silver spoon in their mouths while others a coat hanger in their ears. The former will be loved, welcomed and spoiled; the latter thrown on the trash heap. Some will be born with an abundance of creativity and brain power; others will be challenged in the basic abilities to function. Beauty will be enjoyed by some, others will be "plain" but, more importantly, others will be born physically challenged. In this vast array of human beings lies the inability to enjoy "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Our preamble is what it is, a statement of how things should be in a perfect America. The problem is that "we the people" are the ones who are preventing the enjoyment of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" for some members of our society. We blame the government for our ailments and yet in doing so we do not see our own responsibilites and failures.
How long did it take before handicapped ramps were installed in public buildings so everyone could have access to them? How long is it going to take before those "equality opportunity" employers truly do start hiring the handicapped? How long is it going to take before parents teach their children not to judge their peers by the way they look or dress? How long is it going to take before "we the people" become pro-active in reaching out in a concerted effort to insure that all our citizens are treated equally? How long is it going to take before compassion rules over prejudice? How long will it be before we realize that politics and the government have been our scapegoats while "we the people" are the ones who are out here everyday connecting or disconnecting with our "fellow Americans"?
In my humble opinion, I feel this will never be the nation we wish it could be unless we step up to the plate of that unlevel playing field and realize that we are ALL members of Team U.S.A. After all, we are the ones with the bats, and gloves and hopefully the balls.
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