This Is Just My Opinion

It has now been two days since a Grand Jury decided that Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson will not be indicted for the murder of 18 year old Michael Brown.  Wilson will be able to continue to walk the streets and possibly go back to being a police officer in the town of Ferguson.  It has been two days since a family had to hear the news that their sons killer will not face criminal charges.  It has been two days and I have been filled with many different emotions.

While watching the coverage of the verdict on television I thought I was watching a scene right out of a history book.  Seeing the protesters lined up waiting and the National Guard on patrol reminded of the integration of the University of Mississippi.  I thought James Meredith would walk out of the crowd at any moment.  Watching the coverage I was transported back in time to any random scene in history where there were people fighting for civil rights.  History was happening right before me.  The eventual rioting and looting that happened after the decision was learned that Wilson would not be charged, reminded of the riots during Rodney King or even the riots that happened in 1968 after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King.  I cried.

My heart wept for the Brown family because they would not see their sons killer brought to justice.  My heart broke for those who have been in similar situations over the past few months.  It would seem that hope for those families would be lost as well.  But after being on various social media websites and seeing the reactions of thousands of people, my heart fell apart because a massive issue was being lost.  Yes, there were fires and looting and violence, but all that isn’t what should be focused on.  If you have just focused on that, then the media has done a great job of helping you miss the point.  A young, black man has lost his life and he, unfortunately isn’t the first.

For those who claim that people who talk about race or racism are race baiters, please do us all a favor and wake up!  There is no such thing as race baiting.  It is unfortunate and something that people don’t want to think about, but there is a racism problem in this country.  It is sad to say, but it is also so true.  There wouldn’t be protests if everything was fine.  There wouldn’t be such a huge outcry for justice is everyone was equal.  Since the dawn of free black people in society the fight for justice and equality has been on going.  To think that race isn’t an issue in this country is to wear blinders or bury your head in sand.  Yes no one wants to talk about or say that the subject is impolite or that the whole topic is uncomfortable.  But in the end if you aren’t talking about it or just ignoring racism all together, I’m sorry, but you are part of the problem.

This fight was already fought for us.  The fight for justice and equality should be over, but it isn’t.  Those who take up the fight shouldn’t be viewed as angry black people but just as people who want what some many people already have, equality.  The time to get angry is now.  The time to fight is now.  In the Untied States you shouldn’t be discriminated against because of the color of your skin.  Your justice shouldn’t be denied because of the color of your skin.  Your right to vote shouldn’t be infringed upon because of the color of your skin.  Your body shouldn’t be left in the street for four hours because of the color of your skin.

Two days ago I cried for the injustice.  Today I cry because the fight is far from over.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A History of Veterans Day

World War I was known as the great war.  This was going to be the war that ended all wars.  This was the first time that it seemed that the whole world was at war with most of Europe and the United States firing shots.  The Treaty of Versailles officially ending the war was signed June 28, 1919, but the war ended well before that on November 11, 1918.  Thus the history of Veterans Day begins.

On the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour in the year 1918 a cease fire was declared amongst all parties involved in the ‘Great War’ and Germany surrendered.  This day would be recognized as Armistice Day the following year to commemorate the end of World War I.  It as a day filled with parades and pause at 11 am for a moment of silence.  On November 11, 1921 the day was declared a federal holiday when the body of an unidentified solider was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.  By 1926 at least 27 state legislatures had passed resolutions recognizing the day as a legal, federal holiday.  By May 13, 1938 and with an act of Congress it was determined that November 11th would now be officially declared Armistice Day.

Following the official beginning of Armistice Day, World War II and the Korean War would follow with a great many men and women signing up to help fight for their country.  In 1954 after much urging and lobbying from various veterans group the day was officially changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.  There was now a specific day to honor veterans from all wars fought.  The day is celebrated in the United States by the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.  In Great Britain and Canada red poppies are sold with proceeds going to help various veterans groups.  The idea of the red poppy came from the poem “In Flanders Field” by John McCrae.

November 11th is a day that is set aside to honor those who have served their country from World War I and on.  But let us remember all those who served in every battle from this nations beginning to now.  To you in the camouflage, Thank You.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below. – John McCrae

Sources:

http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/history-of-veterans-day